PROPRIOCEPTION OF THE ANKLE AND KNEE

Proprioception and accompanying neuromuscular feedback mechanisms prov ide an important component for the establishment and maintenance of fu nctional joint stability. Neuromuscular control and joint stabilisatio n is mediated primarily by the central nervous system. Multisite senso ry input, originating from the somatosensory, visual and vestibular sy stems, is received and processed by the brain and spinal cord. The cul mination of gathered and processed information results in conscious aw areness of joint position and motion, unconscious joint stabilisation through protective spinal-mediated reflexes and the maintenance of pos ture and balance. Clinical research aimed at determining the effects o f articular musculoskeletal injury, surgery and rehabilitation, on joi nt proprioception, neuromuscular control and balance has focused on th e knee and ankle joints. Such studies have demonstrated alterations in proprioception subsequent to capsuloligamentous injury, partial resto ration of proprioceptive acuity following ligamentous reconstruction, and have suggested beneficial proprioceptive changes resulting from co mprehensive rehabilitation programmes.