Abstract: Objective To study the relationship among static and dynamic position sense of lower extremity, physical function, and static and dynamic balance in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods 32 patients with knee osteoarthritis were tested with Lequesne Index, static and dynamic position sense of lower extremity, and fall risk of static and dynamic balance, and analyzed with Pearson correlation coefficient. Results The medium-to-high-frequency in postural sway correlated with Lequesne Index (r=0.36, P<0.05) and fall risk index of static balance (r=0.85, P<0.001), but not with the fall risk index of dynamic balance (r=0.30, P>0.05). The reposition accuracy error of the unaffected/ mild-affected lower extremity and affected/severe-affected lower extremity correlated with Lequesne Index (r=0.33~0.39, P<0.05), the fall risk index of static (r=0.38~0.45, P<0.05) and dynamic balance (r=0.65~0.70, P<0.05). Conclusion Lower extremity dysfunction post knee osteoarthritis would result in poor proprioception that maintains balance.

Key words: knee osteoarthritis, proprioception, balance