Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Education and Sports Science,
University of Athens, Athens, Greece | [b] School of Physiotherapy, Athens, Greece | [c] Department of Sports Administration, University of
Peloponnesos, Sparta, Greece
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. George Tsiganos, Department of
Physical Education and Sports Science, University of Athens, Ethnikis
Antistasis 41, Dafni, TK 17237, Greece. Tel.: +30 210 727 6103; Fax: +30 210
727 6100; E-mail: gtsiganos@phed.uoa.gr
Abstract: Purpose: to determine whether subjects with chronic ankle
instability (CAI) suffer proprioceptive deficits (joint position sense) in the
proximal joint (knee) of the injured ankle. Methods: Fourteen subjects
with unilateral CAI and 14 healthy controls participated in this study. We
tested knee joint position sense using an isokinetic dynamometer. Knee joint
position testing was carried out at 30°, 45° and 70°
knee flexion. The difference between perceived angle and actual angle was
recorded as the error. Results: Mean value of error was statistically
significant in subjects with CAI compared with control subjects (30°
p< 0.001, 45° p< 0.023 and 70° p< 0.050). Mean
error value at 30° was also statistically greater than mean error
value at 70° (p< 0.015). Conclusions: Changes in knee joint
position sense in subjects with CAI suggest further emphasis on assessment of
the joint proximal to the level of injury and subsequent planning of a
rehabilitation program. Further research is required to determine the exact
contributions to knee joint proprioception.
Keywords: Proprioception, ankle sprain, knee, joint position sense
