title: Proprioceptive deficit in individuals with unilateral tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament after active evaluation of the sense of joint position.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To ascertain whether the proprioceptive deficit in the sense of joint position continues to be present when patients with a limb presenting a deficient anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are assessed by testing their active reproduction of joint position, in comparison with the contralateral limb.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients with unilateral ACL tearing participated in the study. Their active reproduction of joint position in the limb with the deficient ACL and in the healthy contralateral limb was tested. Meta-positions of 20% and 50% of the maximum joint range of motion were used. Proprioceptive performance was determined through the values of the absolute error, variable error and constant error.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences in absolute error were found at both of the positions evaluated, and in constant error at 50% of the maximum joint range of motion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When evaluated in terms of absolute error, the proprioceptive deficit continues to be present even when an active evaluation of the sense of joint position is made. Consequently, this sense involves activity of both intramuscular and tendon receptors.
authors.affiliation: Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (INTO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cossich
authors.affiliation: Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (INTO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil ; Department of Biosciences, School of Physical Education and Sports (EEFD), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mallrich
authors.affiliation: Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (INTO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Titonelli
authors.affiliation: Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (INTO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Branco
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: de Sousa
authors.affiliation: Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (INTO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil ; Department of Biosciences, School of Physical Education and Sports (EEFD), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil ; Neurophysiology and Attention Neuropsychology Laboratory, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil ; Institute of Applied Neurosciences (INA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Velasques
authors.affiliation: Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (INTO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil ; Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (BV), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Inácio
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Salles
keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Knee; Somatosensory system