THE EFFECT OF MUSCLE STRENGTH ON PROPRIOCEPTIVE FUNCTION AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION OF THE KNEE

Abstract

Loss of proprioceptive feedback in knees with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency is well documented. Joint mechanoreceptors are present in the ACL and in surrounding structures. The muscle spindle receptors may assist patients to compensate for the lack of proprioceptive sensibility after ACL injury. Therefore, exercises for the surrounding knee muscles during treatment after ACL reconstruction might improve proprioceptive performance and functional ability. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether muscle strength after ACL reconstruction can influence proprioceptive function. Sixteen patients who underwent ACL reconstruction were evaluated before surgery, then six and twelve months after surgery. Knee proprioception was evaluated using a robotic proprioceptive device, and muscle strength was evaluated using an isokinetic Biodex system.Six months after surgery there was no correlation between the proprioceptive sensitivity (position sense) and the hamstring/quadriceps H/Q ratio, but there was a correlation at twelve months (r=0.66, P<0.05). There was no correlation between motion sense and the H/Q ratio. These results indicate that recovery of muscle strength after ACL reconstruction may contribute to proprioceptive sensibility.