Two-week joint mobilization intervention improves self-reported function, range of motion, and dynamic balance in those with chronic ankle instability

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedic research Vol. 30; no. 11; pp. 1798 - 1804
• Main Authors: Hoch, Matthew C., Andreatta, Richard D., Mullineaux, David R., English, Robert A., Medina McKeon, Jennifer M., Mattacola, Carl G., McKeon, Patrick O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01-11-2012
• Subjects: Adult; Ankle Joint - physiopathology; ankle sprain; balance; dorsiflexion; Female; Humans; Joint Instability - physiopathology; Joint Instability - therapy; Male; manual therapy; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Postural Balance; Prospective Studies; Range of Motion, Articular; Self Report; self-reported function; Weight-Bearing; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0736-0266; 1554-527X
• DOI: 10.1002/jor.22150

We examined the effect of a 2‐week anterior‐to‐posterior ankle joint mobilization intervention on weight‐bearing dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), dynamic balance, and self‐reported function in subjects with chronic ankle instability (CAI). In this prospective cohort study, subjects received six Maitland Grade III anterior‐to‐posterior joint mobilization treatments over 2 weeks. Weight‐bearing dorsiflexion ROM, the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral reach directions of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), and self‐reported function on the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) were assessed 1 week before the intervention (baseline), prior to the first treatment (pre‐intervention), 24–48 h following the final treatment (post‐intervention), and 1 week later (1‐week follow‐up) in 12 adults (6 males and 6 females) with CAI. The results indicate that dorsiflexion ROM, reach distance in all directions of the SEBT, and the FAAM improved (p < 0.05 for all) in all measures following the intervention compared to those prior to the intervention. No differences were observed in any assessments between the baseline and pre‐intervention measures or between the post‐intervention and 1‐week follow‐up measures (p > 0.05). These results indicate that the joint mobilization intervention that targeted posterior talar glide was able to improve measures of function in adults with CAI for at least 1 week. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1798–1804, 2012