Proprioceptive deficit in patients with complete tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the existence of proprioceptive deficits between the injured limb and the uninjured (i.e. contralateral normal) limb, in individuals who suffered complete tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), using a strength reproduction test.MethodsSixteen patients with complete tearing of the ACL participated in the study. A voluntary maximum isometric strength test was performed, with reproduction of the muscle strength in the limb with complete tearing of the ACL and the healthy contralateral limb, with the knee flexed at 60°. The meta-intensity was used for the procedure of 20% of the voluntary maximum isometric strength. The proprioceptive performance was determined by means of absolute error, variable error and constant error values.ResultsSignificant differences were found between the control group and ACL group for the variables of absolute error (p = 0.05) and constant error (p = 0.01). No difference was found in relation to variable error (p = 0.83).ConclusionOur data corroborate the hypothesis that there is a proprioceptive deficit in subjects with complete tearing of the ACL in an injured limb, in comparison with the uninjured limb, during evaluation of the sense of strength. This deficit can be explained in terms of partial or total loss of the mechanoreceptors of the ACL.

Proprioception in Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears: A Meta-analysis Comparing Injured and Uninjured Limbs

“…12,15,17 Decreased proprioception can adversely affect the activity, balance, and strength of the quadriceps and increase the risk of new injuries to the knee. 11…”

“…12,15,17 Decreased proprioception can adversely affect the activity, balance, and strength of the quadriceps and increase the risk of new injuries to the knee. 11 Despite the theoretical probability of proprioception deficits after ACL tears, previous studies 2, 13,16,18 have yielded conflicting results about proprioception deficits in patients with ACL tears. In addition, the lack of a standardized method to test proprioception has led to the use of various tests, making it difficult to directly compare results obtained in different studies.…”

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Mechanoreceptors and their Potential Importance in Remnant-Preserving Reconstruction: A Review of Basic Science and Clinical Findings

“…preventing injury and maintaining function (including balance and performance) in both the native and reconstructed knee. 3 Since the first identification of mechanoreceptors (MRCs) within the ACL, by Schultz et al in 1984, 4 multiple studies have confirmed their presence alongside similar receptors in other knee structures. [5][6][7][8] The effect of ACL rupture on proprioception in the knee, the ability of ACLR to restore this function, and the relevance of ACL remnant-preservation (to augment this process) have been studied with varied results.…”

Proprioceptive Changes in Bilateral Knee Joints Following Unilateral Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Cynomolgus Monkeys

“…Some studies have found that the unilateral ACL injury not only causes injury to the knee joint dysfunction, but also affects the contralateral knee joint activity, balance, and joint position sense [ 28 – 30 ]. However, studies related to contralateral proprioception and proprioceptors are scarce [ 31 – 33 ]. In the rehabilitation of ACL injury, the recovery of proprioception in the injured side has always been focused on, while the contralateral proprioception has received little attention, and appropriate rehabilitation of bilateral limbs is also affected clinically.…”