Association of Functional Mobility with Knee Proprioception in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA), the most common arthritis type, causes pain and limits daily activities, especially in older adults. Age-related declines in proprioception and joint position sense increase joint load and impair neuromuscular control. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between functional mobility and knee proprioception in OA patients, aiming to clarify their impact on treatment and mobility outcomes. Methods: A total of 33 participants were enrolled in this cross-sectional study based on the inclusion criteria. Functional mobility was assessed using three clinical measures: the Stair Climb Test (SCT), the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and the Five Times Sit to Stand Test (FTSST). Participants completed an initial trial of the 6MWT, and proprioception error was measured using a digital inclinometer. The FTSST and SCT were repeated three times after the first trial, with participants sitting high and holding for 5 seconds between each trial, returning to full knee extension before starting again. Results: Karl Pearson Correlation test demonstrated that there was a statistically significant moderately negative correlation was found between the FTSST and proprioception error (r=-0.444: p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between 6MWT and proprioception error (r=+0.132: p>0.05) and a low negative correlation between the SCT and proprioception errors (r=-0.018: p>0.05) but was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The study indicated that reduced physical mobility impairs proprioception, potentially contributing to or resulting from OA. It concluded that individuals with knee osteoarthritis had greater proprioception errors, with lower physical performance correlating to more pronounced proprioceptive deficits.