OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a single high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust manipulation to the talocrural joint altered ankle range of motion. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled and blinded study. SUBJECTS:Asymptomatic male and female volunteers (N = 41). METHODS: Subjects were randomly assigned into either an experimental group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 21). Both ankles of subjects in the experimental group were manipulated by using a single high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust to the talocrural joint. Pretest and posttest measurements of passive dorsiflexion range of motion were taken. RESULTS: No significant changes in dorsiflexion range of motion were detected between manipulated ankles and those of control subjects. A significantly greater pretest dorsiflexion range of motion existed in those ankles in which manipulation produced an audible cavitation. CONCLUSION: Manipulation of the ankle does not increase dorsiflexion range of motion in asymptomatic subjects. Ankles that displayed a greater pretest range of dorsiflexion were more likely to cavitate, raising the possibility that ligament laxity may be associated with the tendency for ankles to cavitate.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a single high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust manipulation to the talocrural joint altered ankle range of motion. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled and blinded study. SUBJECTS: Asymptomatic male and female volunteers (N = 41). METHODS: Subjects were randomly assigned into either an experimental group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 21). Both ankles of subjects in the experimental group were manipulated by using a single high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust to the talocrural joint. Pretest and posttest measurements of passive dorsiflexion range of motion were taken. RESULTS: No significant changes in dorsiflexion range of motion were detected between manipulated ankles and those of control subjects. A significantly greater pretest dorsiflexion range of motion existed in those ankles in which manipulation produced an audible cavitation. CONCLUSION: Manipulation of the ankle does not increase dorsiflexion range of motion in asymptomatic subjects. Ankles that displayed a greater pretest range of dorsiflexion were more likely to cavitate, raising the possibility that ligament laxity may be associated with the tendency for ankles to cavitate.
Authors: Robert D Boutin; Anuj P Netto; David Nakamura; Cyrus Bateni; Robert M Szabo; Michael Cronan; Brent Foster; William R Barfield; J Anthony Seibert; Abhijit J Chaudhari Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2017-01-03 Impact factor: 4.176