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Proprioception of the Ankle and Knee

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Summary

Proprioception and accompanying neuromuscular feedback mechanisms provide an important component for the establishment and maintenance of functional joint stability. Neuromuscular control and joint stabilisation is mediated primarily by the central nervous system. Multisite sensory input, originating from the somatosensory, visual and vestibular systems, is received and processed by the brain and spinal cord. The culmination of gathered and processed information results in conscious awareness of joint position and motion, unconscious joint stabilisation through protective spinal-mediated reflexes and the maintenance of posture and balance. Clinical research aimed at determining the effects of articular musculoskeletal injury, surgery and rehabilitation, on joint proprioception, neuromuscular control and balance has focused on the knee and ankle joints. Such studies have demonstrated alterations in proprioception subsequent to capsuloligamentous injury, partial restoration of proprioceptive acuity following ligamentous reconstruction, and have suggested beneficial proprioceptive changes resulting from comprehensive rehabilitation programmes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15261, USA

    Scott M. Lephart & Susan L. Rozzi

  2. Department of Physical Therapy, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Washington, USA

    Danny M. Pincivero

Authors
  1. Scott M. Lephart
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  2. Danny M. Pincivero
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  3. Susan L. Rozzi
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Correspondence to Scott M. Lephart.

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Lephart, S.M., Pincivero, D.M. & Rozzi, S.L. Proprioception of the Ankle and Knee. Sports Med. 25, 149–155 (1998). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199825030-00002

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199825030-00002

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