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Çankaya M, Taşkın F. Knee joint proprioception in aging, osteoarthritis, and postoperative orthopedic rehabilitation: Current evidence and future directions—a narrative review. World J Orthop 2026; 17(11): 125396 [DOI: 10.5312/wjo.125396]
World J Orthop. Nov 18, 2026; 17(11): 125396 Published online Nov 18, 2026. doi: 10.5312/wjo.125396
Knee joint proprioception in aging, osteoarthritis, and postoperative orthopedic rehabilitation: Current evidence and future directions—a narrative review
Musa Çankaya, Fatma Taşkın
Musa Çankaya, Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation, Seydişehir Vocational School of Health Services, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya 42100, Türkiye
Fatma Taşkın, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Aydın City Hospital, Aydin 42100, Türkiye
Co-first authors: Musa Çankaya and Fatma Taşkın.
Author contributions: Taşkın F conceptualized the review topic, performed the literature screening, drafted the manuscript, organized the main sections, prepared the reference framework, and approved the final version of the manuscript; Çankaya M contributed to the conceptual refinement of the review, provided academic supervision, critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content, and approved the final version; and both authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
AI contribution statement: AI-assisted tools were used during revision only for language polishing, translation assistance, improvement of clarity and readability, and organization of expression. The figures in our manuscript were created personally with the assistance of artificial intelligence. They have not been sourced from elsewhere. No part of the manuscript was generated entirely by AI. The scientific content, main arguments, literature selection, interpretation of cited evidence, and final conclusions were conceived, reviewed, verified, and finalized by the authors.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
Corresponding author: Musa Çankaya, Associate Professor, Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation, Seydişehir Vocational School of Health Services, Necmettin Erbakan University, Anabağlar Neighborhood, Prof. Dr. Necmettin Erbakan Street, No. 19/3, Seydişehir, Konya 42100, Türkiye. mcankaya@erbakan.edu.tr
Received: July 7, 2026 Revised: September 10, 2026 Accepted: November 2, 2026 Published online: November 18, 2026 Processing time: 127 Days and 15 Hours
Abstract
Knee joint proprioception is an important component of sensorimotor control and contributes to balance, functional stability, and coordinated lower extremity movement. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on knee proprioception in aging, knee osteoarthritis, and postoperative orthopedic rehabilitation. Age-related sensory and neuromuscular changes may impair joint position and movement perception, while proprioceptive dysfunction in knee osteoarthritis may be associated with pain, effusion, muscle inhibition, and structural joint changes. Following total knee arthroplasty, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and meniscal surgery, alterations in afferent input and neuromuscular control may influence proprioceptive recovery. Clinical assessment should consider proprioception alongside balance, gait, muscle strength, and functional performance. Proprioceptive and neuromuscular exercises may support rehabilitation when they are individualized and integrated into strengthening and functional training. Wearable sensors, telerehabilitation, and other digital technologies offer opportunities for monitoring and personalization; however, limitations related to clinical validation, accessibility, patient adherence, and data privacy should be considered before widespread clinical implementation.
Core Tip: Knee proprioception contributes to sensorimotor control across aging, knee osteoarthritis, and postoperative recovery. This review highlights the clinical value of interpreting proprioceptive findings alongside assessments of balance, gait, strength, and functional performance, and of integrating targeted sensorimotor training into individualized rehabilitation. Emerging digital technologies may support monitoring and personalization, but their routine use requires adequate clinical validation and consideration of accessibility, adherence, and data privacy.
