Detailed analysis of proprioception in normal and ACL-deficient knees

We assessed proprioception using threshold levels for the perception of kne e movement at slow angular velocities (0.1 degrees/s to 0.85 degrees/s) in 20 patients with unilateral tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) a nd 15 age-related control subjects. Failure to detect movement was also ana lysed. The threshold levels of detection did not differ between the damaged and un damaged knees in the patients or between the patients and the control group . Failure to appreciate movement, however, was significantly greater in kne es with ACL loss compared with the undamaged knees of patients and the cont rol group. Our findings show a proprioceptive deficit in the absence of the ACL, Measu rements of threshold levels of detection of passive movement alone are not suitable for the evaluation of proprioceptive loss in ACL deficiency; asses sment of failure to appreciate movement is essential.