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

Abstract

ABSTRACT: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. Weightbearing 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 postintervention 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. ß

Health-Related Quality of Life in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability

“…Left unaddressed, such components may contribute to longterm consequences associated with the condition. Although the exact cause of the reported deficits is unknown, previous investigators [36][37][38] have shown that various reha- bilitation techniques improve regional measures of function. Hence, regional measures of function appear to be modifiable.…”

“…The MDC indicates the amount of change required to exceed measurement variability, 39 whereas the MCID indicates the smallest difference that a patient perceives as a change in health status. 40 In individuals with CAI, MDC scores of 3.96% 36 and 7.9% 36 have been reported for the FAAM-ADL and FAAM-Sport, respectively. The median difference between groups in our study was 9% for the FAAM-ADL and 12% for the FAAM-Sport, indicating that these participants not only displayed significant differences compared with the healthy group but also had room for clinically meaningful improvement.…”

Patient-Reported Outcomes in Male and Female Collegiate Soccer Players During an Athletic Season

“…Limited evidence is available regarding the reliability and MDC of the FAAM-S. Previously, an MDC of 15.5% was reported 19 in a college-aged population with chronic ankle instability. This MDC is higher than our MDC of 7%; we believe the difference could be attributed to injury history because we do not know if any of our participants had a history of chronic ankle instability.…”

Current concepts on the pathophysiology and management of recurrent ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability

“…3) [83,84]. Hoch et al [82], showed improvements in range of motion with two weeks of grade 3 posterior talocrural mobilizations for three treatments of 5 min. Other interventions have included repositioning taping of the fibula to alter the joint structure but has not shown improvements in range of motion [85].…”

“…These limit the posterior glide of the talus in the joint during dorsiflexion [15]. Joint mobilizations have been shown to improve dorsiflexion by improving the arthrokinematics of motion [82], and these differences have also been shown to carry over acutely to landing mechanics and in postural control (Fig. 3) [83,84].…”