Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41439739›Full record

ReviewAnnals of medicine2026

Disrupted sensorimotor control after ACL injury: from mechanoreceptor degeneration to neuroplasticity-oriented rehabilitation.

Zelong Lee, Ying Zhang, Peng Wang, Zhenming Kan, Peng Wu, Yirui Han, Weiliang Zhong

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Annals of medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Zelong LeeDepartment of Joint and Sports Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Ying ZhangDepartment of Joint and Sports Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Peng WangDepartment of Joint and Sports Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Zhenming KanDepartment of Joint and Sports Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Peng WuDepartment of Joint and Sports Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Yirui HanDepartment of Joint and Sports Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Weiliang ZhongDepartment of Joint and Sports Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.ORCID 0000-0002-6017-2125

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most common sports-related injuries, often resulting in not only mechanical instability but also long-term proprioceptive dysfunction. The ACL is richly innervated with mechanoreceptors that contribute to sensorimotor control. Injury-induced degeneration of these receptors leads to disrupted afferent signaling and maladaptive central nervous system (CNS) responses, which can compromise functional recovery and increase the risk of reinjury.

objectiveThis review aims to summarize current knowledge on ACL-associated proprioception, including mechanoreceptor anatomy, injury-induced changes in neural signaling, and advances in evaluation and rehabilitation techniques. Emphasis is placed on the integration of peripheral and central mechanisms and their implications for clinical interventions. CONTENT: We detail the types and distribution of mechanoreceptors within the ACL and describe how their disruption alters joint position sense and kinesthesia. We further explore CNS neuroplasticity, such as cortical reorganization and bilateral sensorimotor changes. Traditional and emerging methods for proprioceptive assessment are critically evaluated. Finally, we discuss surgical and rehabilitative strategies-including remnant-preserving reconstruction, neuromuscular training, and neurofeedback-that target proprioceptive recovery through neuroplastic adaptation.

conclusionRestoration of proprioceptive integrity following ACL injury requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both peripheral mechanoreceptor preservation and central sensorimotor reorganization. Future research should focus on standardized assessments, long-term neurophysiological monitoring, and the integration of sensor-based technologies to support individualized, neuroplasticity-driven rehabilitation strategies.

Indexed as

Anterior Cruciate Ligament InjuriesMechanoreceptorsNeuronal PlasticityProprioceptionAnterior Cruciate LigamentAnterior Cruciate Ligament ReconstructionHumansRecovery of FunctionAnterior cruciate ligamentcentral nervous system adaptationmechanoreceptorsneuroplasticityproprioceptionrehabilitationsensorimotor control

Identifiers

PMID41439739
PMCPMC12777884

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.