Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the test-retest reliability about the lower extremities static joint position sense which was tested with the Tetrax balance-test-training system, and the dynamic joint position sense which was tested with the Functional Squat System; and to investigate the relationship between the static and the dynamic joint position sense of lower extremities of the patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods30 patients with knee osteoarthritis were tested with the lower extremities static and dynamic joint position sense twice within 7 d with the Tetrax balance-test-training system and the Functional Squat System. ResultsThe intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the sum of the coefficient of medium-to-high-frequency in postural sway was 0.95 (P<0.001). The ICC of the reposition accuracy error mean of the unaffected/mild or affected/severe extremity were respectively 0.59 and 0.60 (P<0.001). The Pearson correlation coefficients of the sum of the coefficient of medium-to-high-frequency in postural sway and the reposition accuracy error mean of the unaffected/mild or affected/severe extremity were respectively 0.40 and 0.54 (P<0.05). ConclusionThe lower extremities static joint position sense test of the Tetrax balance-test-training system is well reliable, as well as the dynamic joint position sense of the Functional Squat System. They can be used together to evaluate the lower extremities proprioception in the patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Key words: knee, osteoarthritis, proprioception, test-retest reliability