The morphological evidence indicated that the application of heavy pressure promoted the healing process to a greater degree than light or moderate pressure.

This clinical case report demonstrates the clinical effectiveness of a new form of soft tissue mobilization in the treatment of excessive connective tissue fibrosis (scar tissue) around an athlete's injured ankle. The scar tissue was causing the athlete to have pain with activity, pain on palpation of the ankle, decreased range of motion, and loss of function. Surgery and several months of conventional physical therapy failed to alleviate the athlete's symptoms. As a final resort, augmented soft tissue mobilization (ASTM) was administered. ASTM is an alternative nonsurgical treatment modality that is being researched at Performance Dynamics (Muncip, IN). ASTM is a process that uses ergonomically designed instruments that assist therapists in the rapid localization and effective treatment of areas exhibiting excessive soft tissue fibrosis. This is followed by a stretching and strengthening program. Upon the completion of 6 wk of ASTM therapy, the athlete had no pain and had regained full range of motion and function. This case report is an example of how a noninvasive augmented form of soft tissue mobilization (ASTM) demonstrated impressive clinical results in treating a condition caused by connective tissue fibrosis.

Objective:To compare outcomes of 2 rehabilitation protocols on patellar tendinitis subjects.Design:Prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial.Setting:Outpatient rehabilitation clinic.Subjects:Randomized into 2 rehabilitation groups—traditional (n= 10) and ASTM AdvantEDGE (n= 10).Main Outcome Measures:Clinical data and self-reported questionnaires collected at 0, 6, and 12 weeks.Results:On completion of the 6th week, 100% of the ASTM AdvantEDGE group and 60% of the traditional group had resolved. The unresolved subjects were crossed over to the ASTM AdvantEDGE for additional therapy. At the end of the additional therapy, 50% of the crossover subjects had resolved. The ASTM AdvantEDGE group's clinical outcomes and weekly journals indicated a statistically significant (P= .04) improvement in subjective pain and functional-impairment ratings.Conclusions:Findings suggest that ASTM AdvantEDGE resulted in improved clinical outcomes in treating patellar tendinitis.

Findings suggest that the Muncie method results in improved clinical outcome at a lower cost than traditional home and physical therapy and possibly improved VMO/quadriceps muscle balance. Patients with anterior knee pain may benefit from applying the Muncie method in a home therapy program.

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