Relationship of ankle joint proprioceptor injury with chronic ankle instability: a preliminary study / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the effect of ankle joint proprioceptor injury on the functional ankle instability. Methods The study enrolled 18 ( 13 males) with chronic ankle instability treated with ligament reconstruction operation. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons (AOFAS)score was used for evaluation of the function before and after operation and the balance system evaluate the proprioception function. The two ankle ligament specimens from fresh frozen body and the tissue samples from operation were used for investigation of the structure and distribution of the sensory corpuscles by using histology and immunohistoehemical staining. Results The sections were evaluated with a microscope and an image analyzer. Labeled nerve endings were mapped, measured and categorized. Type Ⅰ ( Ruffini-like ending) , type Ⅱ ( Pacinin-like corpuscle ) and type Ⅳ- (noncorpuscular) nerve endings could be identified in all the lateral ankle ligaments, with majority of types Ⅰ and Ⅱ nerve endings.These receptors were distributed primarily over the superficial ligament and near the bony attachments.There was statistical difference between preoperative and postoperative sway distance as well as between preoperative and postoperative AOFAS score. Conclusions This study suggests that the longer history,severer symptoms and lower AOFAS score may lead to the severer injury of the mechanical proprioceptors.The proprioceptor injury is correlated with ankle joint instability and the ligament reconstruction is effective to avoid the repeated injury of the proprioceptor.