Sm. Lephart et al., THE ROLE OF PROPRIOCEPTION IN THE MANAGEMENT AND REHABILITATION OF ATHLETIC INJURIES, American journal of sports medicine, 25(1), 1997, pp. 130-137
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.