Contents


*and Alexander Vladimirovich Yashkov*

Preface

Proprioception represents a conspicuous part of the somatosensory system. The actual state of the art in the study of proprioception clearly demonstrates that it is a field of continuous active and innovative research. A large body of evidence has been accumulated in the last years concerning the characteristics of proprioceptors

*Proprioception* is a collection of reviews and new information on mechanosensitivity. We hope it will be of interest for investigators in basic research, as well as for clinicians

In the opening chapter, "Structural and Biological Basis for Proprioception," the editors, José A. Vega and Juan Cobo summarize and update the basics of the topic, knowledge on muscle proprioceptors (i.e., muscle spindles), mechanisms and molecular bases for mechanotransduction in muscle spindles, pathways of proprioception, and the clinical importance of proprioception. This chapter provides the common foundations that make it easier to read the subsequent

The second chapter, "Proprioception and Clinical Correlation" by Pinar Gelener, Gözde İyigün, and Ramadan Özmanevra, focuses on the anatomy, motor control, and postural control related to proprioception with neurologic clinical correlation.

It also contains information about the changes in joint proprioception after

The following two chapters discuss proprioception in the lower extremities. The third chapter, "Recording of Proprioceptive Muscle Reflexes in the Lower Extremity" by Juhani Partanen, Urho Sompa, and Miguel Muñoz-Ruiz, analyzes the proprioceptive reflexes, especially the H-reflex, and recommends recording of

this reflex with an EMG needle electrode to perform accurate diagnostics.

The fourth chapter, "The Knee Proprioception as Patient-Dependent Outcome Measures within Surgical and Non-Surgical Interventions" by Wangdo Kim, approaches the problems of proprioception in patients undergoing knee surgical procedures. The authors develop an "evidence-based medicine" design and describe the steps to identify measurable invariants in the knee proprioception system and develop a mathematical framework for outcome measurement within

The proprioception of the muscles of the head is still an open matter since the nerves driving the information to the central nervous system are not definitively identified and most cephalic muscles lack muscle spindles, which are the true

and the peripheral sensory organs connected to them (i.e., muscle spindles and Golgi's tendon organs). Furthermore, the contribution to proprioception of mechanoreceptors situated in the joint capsule and skin is being actively

explored.

with an interest in proprioception.

chapters of the book.

orthopedic surgeries.

the knee.
