THE ROLE OF PROPRIOCEPTION IN THE MANAGEMENT AND REHABILITATION OF ATHLETIC INJURIES

Rehabilitation continues to evolve with the increased emphasis on pati ent management and proprioceptive training. Proprioception can be defi ned as a specialized variation of the sensory modality of touch that e ncompasses the sensation of joint movement (kinesthesia) and joint pos ition (joint position sense). Numerous investigators have observed tha t afferent feedback to the brain and spinal pathways is mediated by sk in, articular, and muscle mechanoreceptors. Examining the effects of l igamentous injury, surgical intervention, land proprioceptively mediat ed activities in the rehabilitation program provides an understanding of the complexity of this system responsible for motor control. it app ears that this neuromuscular feedback mechanism becomes interrupted wi th injury and abnormalities, and approaches restoration after surgical intervention and rehabilitation. Rehabilitation programs should be de signed to include a proprioceptive component that addresses the follow ing three levers of motor control: spinal reflexes, cognitive programm ing, and brainstem activity. Such a program is highly recommended to p romote dynamic joint and functional stability. Thus far, current knowl edge regarding the basic science and clinical application of proprioce ption has led the profession of sports medicine one step closer to its ultimate goal of restoring function.