THE ROLE OF ACL RECONSTRUCTION ON RESTITUTION OF PROPRIOCEPTION IN CHRONIC ANTERIOR INSTABILITY OF THE KNEE A PROSPECTIVE LONGITUDINAL-STUDY

Knee proprioception was assessed in 20 healthy volunteers, 10 patients with acute anterior instability and in 20 patients with chronic anter ior instability preoperatively as well as after 3 and 6 months postope ratively. To determine proprioception, an angle reproduction test was performed. There were no differences between the right and the left kn ee joint or between men and women. Best proprioception was measured ne ar full extension. The acute trauma causes massive damage of the propr ioception, which could be improved significantely by rehabilitation. H owever, rehabilitation could not restore proprioception. 3 months post operatively, there was a slight decrease of proprioception as compared to the preoperative values, but 6 months after reconstruction, restor ation of proprioception was documented near full extension and full fl exion. In the mid range position, the proprioception could not be rest ored. There was no difference between open and arthroscopic techniques . The highest correlation was found between proprioception and patient 's satisfaction.