Knee Joint Proprioception: Its Effect on Inter-Limb Joint Asymmetry & Dynamic Stability in Post-Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients

Knee Joint Proprioception: Its Effect on Inter-Limb Joint Asymmetry & Dynamic Stability in Post-Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients Abderrahman Ouattas1, Brian A. Knarr1 1Department of Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE 68182 Abstract: While Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) surgery ideally eliminates pain, and restores functional performance, the procedure replaces biological tissues with a prosthetic knee joint, which may contribute to a reduced joint sense and proprioception. Previous studies have shown contradictory results regarding the relationship between TKA and loss of proprioception. While proprioception is typically assessed through single joint position sense, balance has been used as a surrogate to measure proprioceptive ability post-TKA making a broad generalization of current research difficult. The purpose of this study is to assess if knee proprioception impairments are present post-TKA and determine its correlation with balance. 9 post-TKA (at least 3 months post-surgery; age=63 ± 3 years) and 4 healthy age matched (age=67 ± 5 years) community dwelling participants participated in the study. Knee proprioception was assessed using the threshold to detect passive motion (TDPM) test, while balance was assessed using the sensory organization test (SOT). TKA participants demonstrated proprioceptive deficiency during flexion trials (Deficiency= 48.03%) but failed to show mean deficiency during extension trials (Deficiency =36.22%). Conversely, Healthy controls did not show proprioception deficits during either extension (Deficiency= 0.39%) or flexion (Deficiency= 3.64%) trials. Both groups showed above average balance based on the composite scores (Mean Composite Score; TKA=74.33% CON= 69.66%). Thus far, our results indicate deterioration in knee proprioceptive abilities post-TKA, although normal balance have been recorded. Novel balance measurements should be addressed