Objective To conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis assessing the effectiveness of joint mobilizations for improving dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) and dynamic postural control in individuals with chronic ankle instability. Data Sources Electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus) were searched from inception to January 2017. Study Selection Included studies examined the isolated effects of joint mobilizations to enhance DFROM and dynamic postural control in individuals with chronic ankle instability and provided adequate data to calculate effect sizes (ESs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Data Extraction Two investigators independently assessed the methodologic quality, level of evidence, and strength of recommendation using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale and the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy. We extracted the sample sizes, means, and standard deviations for DFROM and dynamic postural control and filtered the data based on control-to-intervention and preintervention-to-postintervention (pre-post) comparisons. Data Synthesis We included 7 level 1 and 3 level 2 studies that had a median Physiotherapy Evidence Database score of 60% (range = 40%–80%). The magnitudes of control-to-intervention and pre-post differences were examined using bias-corrected Hedges g ESs. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for each outcome measure and comparison. Positive ESs indicated better outcome scores in the intervention group than in the control group and at postintervention than at preintervention. The α level was set at .05. Meta-analysis revealed weak and moderate ESs for overall control-to-intervention (ES = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.14, 0.68; P = .003) and pre-post (ES = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.20, 0.48; P < .001) DFROM analyses. Overall, dynamic postural control meta-analysis revealed moderate control-to-intervention (ES = 0.42; 95% CI = −0.14, 0.98; P = .14) and weak and moderate ESs for pre-post (ES = 0.37; 95% CI = −0.12, 0.87; P = .14) analyses. Conclusions We observed grade A evidence that joint mobilizations can mildly improve DFROM among individuals with chronic ankle instability compared with controls and preintervention. We observed grade B evidence that indicated conflicting effects of joint mobilizations on dynamic postural control compared with controls and preintervention.

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The management of an acute lateral ankle sprain (LAS) affects long-term outcomes, which highlights the need for assessment of practice at the point of care. The purpose of this retrospective chart review was to examine the management strategies for acute LAS as documented in a secondary school’s electronic medical records (EMR) over 2 years. Patient charts noting a LAS diagnosis (n = 107) were identified from the EMR. Most charts indicated palpation and anterior drawer test performance. Cryotherapy (82%) and compression (55%) varied in use. Therapeutic rehabilitation and return-to-activity testing were underreported. Overall, clinical management of acute LAS may not align with best available evidence.