Joint sensorimotor system: a literature review

Abstract

Joint stability is traditionally defined as the perfect congruence among bones during movement; the components of such stability are often limited to related ligaments and muscles. Although these structures are the greatest joint stabilizers, motor-sensory integrity is fundamental for an efficient joint stability. In the last few years, studies have shown many proprioceptors in joint components that supply afferent peripheral information and are connected to the central nervous system levels involved in motor control, so as to maintain joint stability. The present review – of book chapters and articles found in Medline and Lilacs databases – sought to identify structures and the physiology of the joint motor-sensory system, as well as the levels of joint proprioception motor control, so as to define the role of the motor-sensory system in joint stability. In spite of a large number of studies, it is still uncertain how and
where the motor-sensory system exactly acts in joint stability. Physical therapy is scarcely reported by studies and there is not a clear demonstration of its contribution to joint proprioceptive capacity recovery when joint is injured or undergoes surgery.