title: Kinesthesia at the knee: the effect of osteoarthritis and bandage application.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee or bandaging of the knee affects movement detection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Movement detection levels were determined in 10 women aged > 65 years with moderate to severe knee OA and 10 healthy women matched for age, body mass index, and activity levels. Movements were imposed at 0.5 degrees /second, 1.0 degrees /second, and 2.5 degrees /second. Additionally, detection levels were compared with and without the knee bandaged at a single velocity, (0.5 degrees /second).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Controls perceived significantly smaller movements than OA subjects at all test velocities (P < 0.01). However, the bandage did not affect movement detection (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Detection of movement at the knee was impaired in subjects with severe knee OA, and a bandage did not improve detection. Thus, considering previous findings that position sense is impaired, a generalized proprioceptive deficit appears to be associated with OA. This deficit could result from loss of receptors, altered muscle function, or the consequent joint instability.
authors.affiliation: The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Bronwen A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Hewitt
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Refshauge
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kilbreath
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007699:Kinesthesis; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology