[Disorders of proprioception of the arthrotic knee joint]

We measured proprioception of the knee joint by an active and a passive method in 40 subjects under 30 years of age and in 80 subjects older than 50 years with no evidence of knee joint disease. Joint position sense was also determined in an additional 59 patients with osteoarthrosis of the knee. Proprioception was found to decline with increasing age. In the osteoarthritic knee the measured values were significantly higher than in both groups without knee-joint involvement. An elastic bandage had a positive effect. There was a positive correlation between proprioception and clinical parameters. Walking ability and range of motion did not significantly influence the proprioception. Patients receiving physical therapy showed an improved joint position sense.