A Review of Knee Proprioception before and after ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Surgery

Saccomanni Bernardino

Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Ambulatorio di Ortopedia, Via della Conciliazione, Italy

^*Correspondance to: Saccomanni Bernardino 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.2364

Abstract

Our understanding of recovery of knee function in ACL-deficient knees is still evolving. Although most of the focus today is on anatomic placements and the number and positions of various bundles during reconstruction, enough evidence is coming to light that establishes that proprioception of the knee suffers after an ACL tear. Proprioception is emerging as an important factor to determine post-operative results of ACL reconstruction. Various studies have demonstrated the presence of mechanoreceptors in remnant ACL stumps; based on this there have been proposals of preserving these ACL remnants during ACL reconstruction to ensure a better functional outcome. We believe that proprioception is an important aspect of knee stability, and that it is lost after ACL injury, and all attempts must be made to recover as much proprioception as possible by modifying surgical methods and rehabilitation protocols. Remnant preserving surgery may be one of the options that needs to be explored in more detail, and could potentially be a solution to some of the poor functional outcomes in mechanically well-done ACL reconstructions.

Keywords

Anterior cruciate ligament; Reconstruction; Mechanoreceptors; Proprioception

Cite the article

Bernardino S. A Review of Knee Proprioception before and after ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Surgery. Clin Surg. 2019; 4: 2364.