Differences among mechanoreceptors in healthy and injured anterior cruciate ligaments and their clinical importance

Mechanoreceptors in an intact Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) contribute towards functional stability of the knee joint. Injury to the ACL not only causes mechanical instability, but also leads to a disturbance in the neuromuscular control of the injured knee due to loss or damage to mechanoreceptors. ACL reconstruction restores proprioceptive potential of the knee to some extent, but the results vary. Although the remnant ACL contains residual mechanoreceptors, the number and functionality of these receptors is dependent, to some extent, on the physical characteristics of the remnant and duration of injury. Remnants, especially that adherent to the PCL, may actually act as a possible source of reinnervation of the graft. These remnants are worth preserving during ACL reconstruction and can play an important role in restoration of proprioception of knee following ACL reconstruction