Abstract
Objective Commonly used methods for measuring proprioception have resulted in conflicting reports
regarding knee proprioception with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and the
influence of ACL reconstruction.
Methods One hundred subjects (50 patients with radiologically and arthroscopically confirmed
unilateral ACL rupture and 50 normal controls) were assessed with regards to proprioception
using dynamic single-leg stance postural stabilometry. Instrumented knee ligament
laxity and knee outcome scores were also measured. Of the 50 patients in the ACL group,
34 underwent reconstruction and were reassessed postoperatively.
Results There was a significant proprioceptive deficiency in the ACL group compared with
their contralateral knee (p < 0.001) and to the control group (p = 0.01). There was a significant improvement in knee proprioception following ACL
reconstruction compared to preoperative findings (p = 0.003). There was no correlation between ligament laxity measurements and outcome
scores. A significant correlation was found preoperatively between outcome scores
and proprioception measurements. This correlation was not found post-operatively.
Pre-operative proprioception testing had a significant correlation (r = 0.46) with
post-operative proprioception (p = 0.006).
Conclusion Patients with an ACL rupture had a proprioceptive deficit which improved following
ligament reconstruction. Knee outcome scores had a better correlation with proprioception
than ligament laxity. Proprioception may be a superior objective measure than ligament
laxity in quantifying functional knee deficits and outcomes in patients with ACL ruptures.
Level of Evidence III
Therapeutic Study; Prospective Longitudinal Case-Control Study.
Keywords anterior cruciate ligament - mechanoreceptors - proprioception - stabilometry - knee
ligament laxity - knee outcome scores
