Proprioception Kinesthesia and Balance After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Description: The effect of total knee arthroplasty on proprioception, kinesthesia, and postural control remains controversial. It is argued that retaining the posterior cruciate ligament may help to preserve these sensorimotor functions and improve the longevity of the prosthesis and the functional outcome. We performed a prospective, randomized study to assess proprioception, kinesthesia, and balance following total knee arthroplasty with cruciate-retaining and posterior stabilized prostheses.
Conclusions: Total knee arthroplasty results in mild improvements in proprioception, kinesthesia, and balance. These changes may result from the retensioned capsuloligamentous structures and reduced pain and inflammation. Retention of the posterior cruciate ligament does not appear to significantly improve proprioception and balance compared with those functions in patients with a posterior stabilized total knee design.
C. BUZ SWANIK, PHD, ATC, SCOTT M. LEPHART, PHD, ATC, AND HARRY E. RUBASH, MD THE JOURNAL OF BONE & JOINT SURGERY · JBJS.ORG VOLUME 86-A · NUMBER 2 · FEBRUARY 2004