A comparison of the proprioception of osteoarthritic knees and post total knee arthroplasty

Background: Proprioception of the knee joint is an important factor for establishing balance, and smooth walking. The effect of arthroplasty on proprioception can be a determinant of post-operative function and subjective feeling of the arthroplasty. We wished to check the status of osteoarthritic knees and how their proprioceptive function is, in comparison to knees post total knee replacement.Methods: We compared 80 unilateral knee replacement patients with their osteoarthritic counterpart in the opposite knee. There was 50% Cruciate Retaining (n =40), Posterior Stabilized 50% (n =40). We assessed the proprioception using threshold to detection of passive motion and conscious awareness of passive joint position.Results: 73.8% (n =59) of patients experienced a better joint position sense, 21% (n =17) had decreased joint position sense and 5% (n =4) had the same, when compared to the contralateral osteoarthritic knee. The mean of threshold to detection of passive motion was 2.16+0.68 for the replaced knees versus 2.72±0.61 for the contralateral osteoarthritic knee.Conclusions: The proprioception of the knees that were replaced with arthroplasties had a better proprioceptive function then the osteoarthritic knees. This further solidifies the reasons to replace the dysfunctional osteoarthritic knee.