REVIEW OF THE AFFERENT NEURAL SYSTEM OF THE KNEE AND ITS CONTRIBUTIONTO MOTOR LEARNING

Understanding the afferent neural system of the knee is considered to be vital to rehabilitation planning. An intricate relationship exists involving the afferent neural receptors in the inert and contractile t issues of the knee. Traditional rehabilitation strategies may not expl oit this extensive afferent neural system. Closed kinetic chain functi onal training (CKCFT) may provide a method for more effectively rehabi litating an injured or reconstructed knee. The rationale for CKCFT has traditionally focused on mechanical aspects. Sensorimotor integration through motor learning is believed to be an important component of CK CFT. The purposes of this review are to discuss: 1) the afferent neura l system of the knee with emphasis on the mechanoreceptors, 2) the inf luence of the afferent neural system of the knee on motor learning, an d 3) how CKCFT uses the afferent neural system of the knee and motor l earning during knee rehabilitation. This review reinforces the use of CKCFT in knee rehabilitation plans.