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Is proprioception altered during loaded knee extension shortly after ACL rupture?
T Fischer-Rasmussen1, T O Jensen, M Kjaer
1Sports Medicine Research Unit, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. t.fischer-r@dadlnet.dk
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|August 21, 2001
Summary
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) may not significantly impact proprioception as measured in lab settings. This study found no significant differences in knee joint position sense between injured and uninjured limbs in ACL-ruptured patients.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Neuroscience
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Proprioception, the sense of body position, is crucial for joint stability.
- The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is often implicated in proprioceptive deficits after injury.
- Current laboratory measures of proprioception may not fully reflect in-vivo function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reproducibility of knee joint proprioception measurements.
- To investigate the effect of acute ACL rupture on proprioception.
- To determine if the ACL plays a significant role in commonly measured proprioception.
Main Methods:
- Knee joint angle reproduction was measured under loaded (20% maximal voluntary contraction) and unloaded quadriceps conditions.
- Threshold of movement detection was assessed.
- Test-retest reliability was evaluated in healthy subjects; side-to-side differences were compared in ACL-ruptured patients.
Main Results:
- The measurement methods demonstrated good reproducibility (r=0.7-0.9, CV=5.7-13.0%) in healthy subjects.
- No significant side-to-side differences in proprioception were found in patients with acute ACL rupture.
- Specific angle reproduction values: Loaded injured (3.96°), loaded uninjured (4.7°), unloaded injured (2.85°), unloaded uninjured (2.92°). Movement detection threshold: Injured (1.48°), uninjured (1.44°).
Conclusions:
- Laboratory-based proprioception testing methods are reliable.
- Acute ACL rupture does not appear to cause significant deficits in measured knee joint proprioception.
- The ACL's role in proprioception, as assessed by these methods, may be less critical than previously assumed.