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Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Posterior Talus Mobilizations Improve Ankle Pain, Dorsiflexion and Functional Capacity

Brent Brookbush

Brent Brookbush

DPT, PT, MS, CPT, HMS, IMT

Research Review: Posterior Talus Mobilizations Improve Ankle Pain, Dorsiflexion and Functional Capacity

By Nicholas Rolnick PT, DPT, MS, CSCS

Edited by Brent Brookbush DPT, PT, COMT, MS, PES, CES, CSCS, H/FS

Original Citation: Silva RD, Teixeira LM, Moreira TF, Teixeira-Salmela LF, and de Resende MA. (2017). Effects of anteroposterior talus mobilization on range of motion, pain, and functional capacity in participants with subacute and chronic ankle injuries: A controlled trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 40(4): 273-283. ABSTRACT

Why the Study is Relevant: Loss of ankle dorsiflexion is a common impairment in those exhibiting lower extremity dysfunction (1-10). Human movement professionals use a variety of soft-tissue techniques, joint-based interventions, and self-administered exercises to address this issue (1-10). This 2017 study investigated the short- and long-term effects of posterior talar mobilizations  (joint based intervention) on ankle pain, functional capacity and dorsiflexion range of motion in 19 participants with a history of ankle dysfunction. The results suggest that ankle dorsiflexion improves immediately following application of posterior talar mobilizations , and effects last a minimum of two weeks. Human movement professionals should consider incorporating this technique into treatments for individuals lacking ankle dorsiflexion.

Posterior talar glides are effective at improving ankle dorsiflexion range of motion.
Caption: Posterior talar glides are effective at improving ankle dorsiflexion range of motion.

Posterior talar mobilizations are effective at improving ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. (Courtesy of BrentBrookbush.com)

Study Summary

Study DesignParallel-design controlled trial
Level of EvidenceIB Evidence from at least one randomized controlled trial
Participant Characteristics

Demographics

Participants were recruited from general physical therapy outpatient clinics. An independent investigator randomized each participant by order of arrival into either a sham group (SG), which received the sham mobilization, or the experimental group (EG), which received the experimental mobilization.

Number of participants: 38 total (19 per group)

Age (in years, mean):

  • SG - 40.1 ± 3.1
  • EG - 41.5 ± 2.8

Gender:

  • SG -  8 females and 11 males
  • EG - 14 females and 5 males

Height (in cm, mean):

  • SG - 170.5 ± 2.1
  • EG - 168.0 ± 1.5

Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion (in degrees)

  • SG - 7.7° ± 1.1
  • EG - 8.7° ± 1.1

Pain (1-10, Visual Analog Scale)

  • SG - 2.3 ± 0.7
  • EG - 2.1 ± 0.7

Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Activities of Daily Living (measure of perceived capacity to perform activities of daily living)

  • SG - 58.0 ± 0.4
  • EG - 59.2 ± 3.8

Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Sports (measure of perceived capacity to perform sporting activities)

  • SG - 16.0 ± 4.3
  • EG - 9.8 ± 3.6

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Traumatic subacute (2 weeks) and chronic (1 month) ankle injuries (researchers did not specify if this was a retrospective clinician diagnosed injury)
  • Lack of at least 5° of passive ankle dorsiflexion compared to the unaffected side
  • Minimum of 20° of ankle plantarflexion
  • No injuries on the opposite ankle
  • Ability to bear some weight on the affected ankle
  • No current analgesic usage

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Loss of ankle range of motion due to surgical fixation, ankyloses or arthrofibrosis
  • Vascular, rheumatic, neurologic or neoplastic diseases of the lower limb
  • Infections or open lesions at the ankle
  • Pain on palpation of the anterior ankle
Methodology

Outcome measures were obtained in the same order at baseline, following the first session, after the sixth session and 2 weeks after the sixth session for a total of 4 weeks.

Range of motion (ROM)

  • A universal goniometer was used to assess ankle dorsiflexion ROM
  • Each participant was positioned prone with hip in neutral alignment and knee flexed to 90°
  • The examiner measured dorsiflexion ROM 3 times per ankle to the first barrier of tissue resistance, with 30-second rest intervals between measurements
  • The mean of the 3 values were used for data analysis

Pain (Visual Analog Scale, VAS)

  • VAS was scored on a 10-cm line marked by each participant's level of perceived ankle pain
  • Higher scores indicate higher perceived pain levels

Functional Assessment Questionnaire (Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, FAAM)

  • Each participant filled out a self-report form that assessed their perceived functional capacity on a Likert scale
  • Higher scores indicate higher perceived functional capacities

Intervention

  • Each participant was positioned in supine with the limb to be mobilized supported on a wedge at 60° of hip flexion, 90° of knee flexion and the ankle resting in 20° of plantarflexion
  • The SG received right hand contact on the talus without articular motion
    • The examiner overlapped his hands on the talus and applied a clamping force at the tibiofibular joint without any anteroposterior gliding

  • The EG received grade III Maitland anteroposterior talar mobilizations
    • The examiner placed the interosseous space of the first and second fingers of his right hand over the talus while his left hand was positioned over the right hand
    • Cyclical and rhythmic oscillations were performed on the talus in an anteroposterior direction through tissue resistance to the end of the ROM without causing pain
    • Two oscillations were performed every second

  • 3 intervention sessions were performed each week for 2 weeks (6 interventions total)
  • Both interventions were performed for 3 sets of 30-seconds with 30-second interset rest periods
Data Collection and AnalysisA power analysis was performed prior to data collection to determine the minimum number of participants to show a statistically significant effect (34) with p < 0.05 and an effect size of ankle dorsiflexion ROM of 0.88 (high)
  • Statistical analysis was performed by an independent researcher blinded to group allocation and using the intention to treat paradigm
  • Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) analysis calculated the difference between groups at baseline and following the intervention (p < 0.05 for statistical significance)
  • Number needed to treat (NNT) was calculated to determine the effectiveness of the intervention
Outcome Measures
  • Range of motion into dorsiflexion, pain and functional capacity
Results
  • More female participants were in the EG compared to the SG (p = 0.049) and the SG presented with greater chronicity than the EG (p = 0.01); both comparisons were significant differences.
  • Ankle dorsiflexion ROM improved in the EG during all follow-ups (p < 0.05) with significantly greater improvements over the SG group at all measured intervals
    • SG - Ankle dorsiflexion improved from 7.7° ± 1.1 to 9.3° ± 1.3 at 2-weeks post-intervention
    • EG - Ankle dorsiflexion improved from 8.7° ± 1.1 to 13.2° ± 1.1 at 2-weeks post-intervention

  • Ankle pain improved in both groups between the first and sixth visit and was maintained at follow-up
    • SG - Ankle pain improved from 2.3 ± 0.7 to 0.5 ± 0.3 at 2-weeks post-intervention
    • EG - Ankle pain improved from 2.1 ± 0.7 to 0.3 ± 0.2 at 2-weeks post-intervention

  • FAQ (perception of functional capacity) scores in both groups improved independent of their group allocation.
Our ConclusionsThis study reinforces the Brookbush Institute’s (BI) recommendation for the inclusion of posterior talus mobilizations in an intervention strategy designed to improve dorsiflexion.  Further research is needed to confirm the additional benefit that may be gained from an integrated approach (as recommended by the BI) including release, lengthening, activation and integration techniques.
Researchers' Conclusions

Grade III posterior talar mobilizations improve ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in individuals a history of ankle problems, with carryover for at least 2 weeks. Pain and perceived functional capacity improved in all individuals regardless of their group allocation across the duration of the intervention and at post-intervention follow-up.

Normal dorsiflexion range of motion is between 15-20 degrees. (Courtesy of BrentBrookbush.com)

Review & Commentary:

To our knowledge, this study is one of the few to compare the short and long-term effects of posterior talus mobilizations on ankle pain, perceived function and dorsiflexion range of motion in participants with a history of ankle dysfunction. The results provide evidence that posterior talus mobilizations alone can improve ankle dorsiflexion with effects lasting at least two weeks.

The study had many methodological strengths, including:

  • The clinical relevancy of the intervention improves generalizability. In practice, posterior talar mobilizations are commonly used to improve ankle dorsiflexion range of motion.
  • The homogeneity between groups at baseline increases internal validity, allowing outcomes to be attributed to the mobilization intervention itself and not other factors.
  • The authors performed an a priori power analysis prior to data collection to determine the minimum number of participants needed to produce a clinically significant treatment effect. This strengthens the reliability of the results of the study.
  • The use of a follow-up evaluation to determine good carry-over highlights an attribute of this technique that is often under-emphasized in research on physical interventions.

Weaknesses that should be noted prior to clinical integration of the findings include:

  • Reliability of the applied force from the practitioner used in the joint mobilization was not measured.
  • The examiner was not blinded to the group allocation which may increase confirmation bias.
  • Release or lengthening techniques were not applied to the gastrocnemius , soleus or long toe flexors prior to the intervention, which may have further improved dorsiflexion range of motion.
  • Both groups improved in perceived pain and functional capacity over time, suggesting that natural history may play a role in recovery. Further investigation is warranted to determine if this perception of increased functional capacity and reduction in pain is the result of avoidance, adoption, or modification of activities of daily living.
  • More research is needed to investigate the short and long-term effects of posterior talar mobilizations on balance and strength in individuals with ankle dysfunction.

How This Study is Important:

This study adds to the body of research on the efficacy of joint mobilizations. The addition of pain and functional ability to measurements of dorsiflexion demonstrate that both movement impairment and the patients perception of pain and ability improved. Although most clinicians would agree that impairment and pain are closely correlated, some recent research has called that "clinical belief" into question. More studies on both manual techniques and self-administered interventions should consider the addition of validated pain and functional ability questionnaires as used in this study. Further, the addition of a follow-up evaluation demonstrated carry-over from one session to the next (and in this study carry-over for at least 2 weeks), which is an under-emphasized but important attribute of any technique deemed effective, especially for long-term pain relief.

How the Findings Apply to Practice:

This study demonstrated that posterior talus mobilizations improves ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), pain and functional ability in those with chronic ankle dysfunction, and improvements may last for 2 weeks or more. Human movement professionals with a scope of practice that includes manual joint-based interventions should consider the inclusion of manual posterior talar mobilizations as part of a integrated approach to addressing ankle  dysfunction. Practitioners whose scope does not include manual therapy can recommend self-administered ankle joint mobilizations  to accomplish similar outcomes. Note: self-administered ankle joint mobilizations  should also be recommended by manual therapists for home exercise programs.

How does it relate to Brookbush Institute Content?

This study supports the Brookbush Institute recommendation of posterior talus mobilization  as part of an integrated approach to addressing ankle dorsiflexion deficits in those exhibiting signs of lower extremity dysfunction (LED) . Further, the study supports the direction of mobilization recommended in the LED  model. The integrated model of addressing postural dysfunction  includes a sequential approach of release, mobilization and lengthening techniques to enhance mobility, followed by activation and integration techniques for under-active muscles with the intent of optimizing motion and posture. The additional benefit that may be attained via an integrated approach should be investigated in future studies.

Effectiveness of any technique recommended by the BI is determined by reliable assessments using an “assess, address, re-assess” approach. Ankle dorsiflexion goniometery  is a reliable and commonly performed assessment when determining the efficacy of posterior talus mobilizations  in practice.

Human movement professionals (DPTs, DCs, ATCs, DOs) whose scope of practice includes manual therapy should consider adding manual posterior talus mobilizations  to their practice and self-administered ankle joint mobilizations  for home exercise programs. Human movement professionals whose scope does not include manual joint-based techniques (CPTs, LMTs) can accomplish similar results self-administered ankle joint mobilizations .

The following videos illustrate the techniques discussed above:

Ankle Dorsiflexion Goniometry

Posterior Talar Mobilizations

Self-Administered Ankle Dorsiflexion Mobilization

Bibliography:

  1. Denegar, C. R., Hertel, J., & Fonseca, J. (2002). The effect of lateral ankle sprain on dorsiflexion range of motion, posterior talar glide, and joint laxity.Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy32(4), 166-173
  2. Hubbard, T. J., Olmsted-Kramer, L. C., Hertel, J., & Sherbondy, P. (2005). Anterior–posterior mobility of the talus in subjects with chronic ankle instability. Physical Therapy in Sport6(3), 146-152.
  3. Wikstrom, E. A., & Hubbard, T. J. (2010). Talar positional fault in persons with chronic ankle instability. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation91(8), 1267-1271.
  4. Green, T., Refshauge, K., Crosbie, J., Adams, R. (2001). A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Passive Accessory Joint Mobilization on Acute Ankle Inversion Sprains. Physical Therapy, 2001. 81: 984-994
  5. Cosby, N. L., Koroch, M., Grindstaff, T. L., Parente, W., & Hertel, J. (2011). Immediate effects of anterior to posterior talocrural joint mobilizations following acute lateral ankle sprain. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy19(2), 76-83.
  6. Hoch, M. C., & McKeon, P. O. (2011). Joint mobilization improves spatiotemporal postural control and range of motion in those with chronic ankle instability. Journal of Orthopaedic Research29(3), 326-332.
  7. Delahunt, E., Cusack, K., Wilson, L., & Doherty, C. (2013). Joint mobilization acutely improves landing kinematics in chronic ankle instability. Med Sci Sports Exerc45(3), 514-519.
  8. Cruz-Díaz, D., Lomas Vega, R., Osuna-Pérez, M. C., Hita-Contreras, F., & Martínez-Amat, A. (2015). Effects of joint mobilization on chronic ankle instability: a randomized controlled trial. Disability and rehabilitation37(7), 601-610
  9. Collins, N., Teys, P., & Vicenzino, B. (2004). The initial effects of a Mulligan’s mobilization with movement technique on dorsiflexion and pain in subacute ankle sprains. Manual therapy9(2), 77-82.
  10. Pellow, J. E., & Brantingham, J. W. (2001). The efficacy of adjusting the ankle in the treatment of subacute and chronic grade I and grade II ankle inversion sprains. Journal of manipulative and Physiological therapeutics24(1), 17-24.

© 2017 Brent Brookbush

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