Manual therapy AND ankle sprains

BACKGROUND: When paired together, manual therapy and exercise have been effective for regaining range of motion (ROM) in multiple conditions across varied populations. Although exercise in an aquatic environment is common, research investigating manual therapy in this environment is limited. There is little evidence on AquaStretchTM an aquatic manual therapy technique, but anecdotal clinical evidence suggests its effectiveness. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of AquaStretch™ on ROM and function in recreational athletes with self-reported lower extremity injury and pain...

BACKGROUND: Although there are many nonsurgical treatment options for the primary management of chronic ankle instability, the most effective nonoperative intervention has not been defined. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purpose of this study was to perform a network meta-analysis to compare the results of different standalone and/or combined nonsurgical interventions on chronic ankle instability as measured by (1) the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) at 0 to 6 months after treatment and (2) treatment-related complications...

CONTEXT: Limited information exists on the amount and type of care provided by athletic trainers (ATs) treating athletes who sustained ankle sprains in the high school setting. OBJECTIVE: To describe AT services provided for patients with ankle sprains injured in high school athletics. DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. SETTING: Athletic training facility (ATF) visits and AT services collected from 147 high schools in 26 states...

Mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy is a common injury in sporting populations. There is conflicting evidence about the best approach to conservative management. This report focuses on the rehabilitation of an Achilles tendinopathy utilizing osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) and a structured exercise program in a semi-professional volleyballer. The patient presented with a 4-month history of right mid-portion Achilles tendon pain that began after a lateral inversion sprain of the right ankle. The primary complaint was pain impacting the patients vertical jump performance...

CONTEXT:   Therapeutic modalities that stimulate sensory receptors around the foot-ankle complex improve chronic ankle instability (CAI)-associated impairments. However, not all patients have equal responses to these modalities. Identifying predictors of treatment success could improve clinician efficiency when treating patients with CAI. OBJECTIVE:   To conduct a response analysis on existing data to identify predictors of improved self-reported function in patients with CAI...

BACKGROUND: Ankle sprains are highly prevalent with high risk of recurrence. Consequently, there are a significant number of research reports examining strategies for treating and preventing acute and recurrent sprains (otherwise known as chronic ankle instability (CAI)), with a coinciding proliferation of review articles summarising these reports. OBJECTIVE: To provide a systematic overview of the systematic reviews evaluating treatment strategies for acute ankle sprain and CAI...

CONTEXT: Talocrural joint mobilizations are commonly used to address deficits associated with chronic ankle instability (CAI). OBJECTIVE: Examine the immediate effects of talocrural joint traction in those with CAI. DESIGN: Blinded, crossover. SETTING: Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty adults (14 females; age = 23.80 ± 4.02 y; height = 169.55 ± 12.38 cm; weight = 78.34 ± 16.32 kg) with self-reported CAI participated...

BACKGROUND: Recurrent ankle sprains often involve residual symptoms for which subjects often perform proprioceptive or/and strengthening exercises. However, the effectiveness of mobilization to influence important nerve structures due to its anatomical distribution like tibial and peroneal nerves is unclear. OBJETIVES: To analyze the effects of proprioceptive/strengthening exercises versus the same exercises and manual therapy including mobilizations to influence joint and nerve structures in the management of recurrent ankle sprains...

OBJECTIVE: To characterize trends in the acute management (within 30 days) after lateral ankle sprain (LAS) in the United States. DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. PATIENTS: Of note, 825 718 ankle sprain patients were identified; 96.2% were patients with LAS. Seven percent had an associated fracture and were excluded from the remaining analysis. SETTING: Primary and tertiary care settings. INTERVENTIONS: We queried a database of national health insurance records for 2007 to 2011 by ICD-9 codes for patients with LAS while excluding medial and syndesmotic sprains and any LAS with an associated foot or ankle fracture...

The purpose of this paper is to present a current review of pathoanatomical features, differential diagnosis, objective assessment, intervention, and clinical course associated with managing lateral ankle ligament sprains. Proper diagnosis and identification of affected structures should be obtained through history and objective assessment. From this information, an individualized evidence-based intervention plan can be developed to enable recovery while decreasing the risk of reinjury. An appropriate evaluation is needed not only to determine the correct diagnosis but also to allow for grading and determining the prognosis of the injury in those with an acute lateral ankle sprain...

CONTEXT: Talocrural joint mobilizations are commonly used to address deficits associated with chronic ankle instability (CAI). OBJECTIVE: Examine the immediate effects of talocrural joint traction in those with CAI. DESIGN: Blinded, crossover. SETTING: Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty adults (14 females; age=23.80±4.02years; height=169.55±12.38cm; weight=78.34±16.32kg) with self-reported CAI participated...

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the upper and lower extremities are common in the general population and place a significant burden on the health care system. Manual therapy is recommended by clinical practice guidelines for the management of these injuries; however, there is limited evidence to support its effectiveness. The purpose of our review was to investigate the effectiveness of manual therapy in adults or children with MSDs of the upper or lower extremity. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and case-control studies evaluating the effectiveness of manual therapy were eligible...

BACKGROUND: The inclusion of clinical practice factors, beyond epidemiologic data, may help guide medical coverage and care decisions. HYPOTHESIS: Trends in injury and treatment characteristics of sport-specific injuries sustained by secondary school athletes will differ based on sport. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of electronic patient records. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4. METHODS: Participants consisted of 3302 boys and 2293 girls who were diagnosed with a sport-related injury or condition during the study years...

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. Objective To determine the effectiveness of treatments for patients with chronic complaints after ankle sprain. BACKGROUND: Though most people recover completely after a lateral inversion ankle injury, a considerable percentage have persistent complaints. Currently, it is still unclear which treatment options are best for these patients. METHODS: Major databases, including PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PEDro, were searched for randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials conducted from 1966 to October 2012...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of mobilization and eccentric exercise training for a patient with ankle pain and a history of chronic ankle sprains and discuss the course of diagnostic decision making when the patient did not respond to care. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 48-year-old police officer who had sustained multiple ankle sprains throughout his life presented with pain and restriction in his ability to walk, run, and work. The Global Rating of Change Scale score was - 6, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale score was 7/10, and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale score was - 33...

A 40-year old female presented to physical therapy with a one-year history of insidious right anteromedial and anterolateral knee pain. Additionally, the patient had a history of multiple lateral ankle sprains bilaterally, the last sprain occurring on the right ankle 1 year prior to the onset of knee pain. The patient was evaluated and given a physical therapy diagnosis of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), with associated talocrural and tibiofemoral joint hypomobility limiting ankle dorsiflexion and knee extension, respectively...

BACKGROUND: Lateral ankle sprains are common and can have detrimental consequences to the athlete. Joint mobilisation/manipulation may limit these outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Systematically summarise the effectiveness of manual joint techniques in treatment of lateral ankle sprains. METHODS: This review employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A computer-assisted literature search of MEDLINE, CINHAL, EMBASE, OVID and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) (January 1966 to March 2013) was used with the following keywords alone and in combination 'ankle', 'sprain', 'injuries', 'lateral', 'manual therapy', and 'joint mobilisation'...

CONTEXT: Clinicians perform therapeutic interventions, such as stretching, manual therapy, electrotherapy, ultrasound, and exercises, to increase ankle dorsiflexion. However, authors of previous studies have not determined which intervention or combination of interventions is most effective. OBJECTIVE: To determine the magnitude of therapeutic intervention effects on and the most effective therapeutic interventions for restoring normal ankle dorsiflexion after ankle sprain...

Ankle sprains often occur when running, walking on uneven ground, or jumping. Usually, people are told to rest, elevate the foot, apply ice, and use an elastic wrap to reduce swelling. This treatment is typically followed by exercises that can be performed at home. Although the pain and swelling usually improve quickly, more than 70% of people who sprain their ankles continue to have problems with them and up to 80% will sprain their ankles again. This suggests that it is important to better care for ankle sprains...

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of manual therapy and exercise (MTEX) to a home exercise program (HEP) in the management of individuals with an inversion ankle sprain. BACKGROUND: An in-clinic exercise program has been found to yield similar outcomes as an HEP for individuals with an inversion ankle sprain. However, no studies have compared an MTEX approach to an HEP. METHODS: Patients with an inversion ankle sprain completed the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) activities of daily living subscale, the FAAM sports subscale, the Lower Extremity Functional Scale, and the numeric pain rating scale...