PROPRIOCEPTION AFTER UNICONDYLAR KNEE ARTHROPLASTY VERSUS TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

Proprioception was measured in 2 groups of patients after successful k nee arthroplasty. Twenty-eight patients had total knee arthroplasty an d their results were compared with an age matched group of 10 subjects who had undergone unicondylar knee arthroplasty. The threshold to det ection of passive motion was quantified as a measure of proprioception . The degree of preoperative arthritis was objectively classified acco rding to Resnick. The anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciat e ligament were present and preserved in all the patients who had unde rgone unicondylar knee arthroplasty. The anterior cruciate ligament wa s sacrificed and posterior cruciate ligament retained in 15 of the pat ients who had total knee arthroplasty and the anterior cruciate ligame nt and posterior cruciate ligament were sacrificed in 13 of the patien ts who had total knee arthroplasties. There was no difference in thres hold to detection of passive motion among any of the 3 groups. Maintai ning the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament di d not impart improved proprioception in unicondylar knee arthroplasty nor did maintaining the posterior cruciate ligament impart improved pr oprioception in total knee arthroplasty.