Effects of Talocrural Joint Mobilizations in the Treatment of Subacute Lateral Ankle Sprains

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Ankle Sprain

• Registration Number: NCT01117909
• Lead Sponsor: University of Virginia

Brief Summary

The goal is to determine if standard therapy including joint mobilizations of the ankle performed 3 times per week for 2 weeks will increase self-reported function and decrease pain in patients with mild lateral ankle sprains.

Detailed Description

The purpose of this protocol is to assess the effects of grade IV anterior to posterior joint mobilization on self-reported function, dorsiflexion range of motion and talar glide on subjects suffering from lateral ankle sprain in the past 2-10 days and exhibit 5 degree dorsiflexion deficit in range of motion or a restriction in posterior glide of the talus.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2010-04
• Study First Submitted: 2010-05-04
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-05-05
• Study First Posted: 2010-05-06
• Status Verified: 2011-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2011-05-26
• Last Update Posted: 2011-05-30
• Primary Completion: 2011-12
• Study Completion: 2011-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• Incomplete tear of lateral ligaments with mild laxity as measured by anterior drawer test and talar tilt
• Slight reduction in function
• Anterolateral ankle tenderness
• Dorsiflexion ROM asymmetry greater than 5° compared to uninvolved limb
• Posterior talar glide restriction greater than 5° compared to uninvolved limb; or
• Posterior talar glide less than 19°, which is one standard deviation (7°) from our previously established normative values (26°)9, 10
• Suffered from grade 1 or 2 lateral ankle sprain within the last 48hr - 8 days

Exclusion Criteria

• A history of ankle surgery that involves intra-articular fixation,
• Syndesmotic ankle sprain (to be ruled out based on clinical examination),
• History or signs of reflex sympathetic dystrophy,
• Have received manual therapy for the ankle sprain prior to enrollment
• Grade III ankle sprain.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in self-reported function	Baseline and four weeks	We hypothesize that the group that receives joint mobilization in addition to standard therapy will show greater improvements in Functional Ankle and Ability Measure (FAAM) and FAAM-Sport (FAAM-S) scores than those who receive standard therapy alone.
Change in self-reported pain	Baseline and 4 weeks	We hypothesize visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain will have a greater improvement in those who received joint mobilization in addition to standard therapy when compared to standard therapy alone.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion	Baseline and 4 weeks	We hypothesize that mobilization when applied to the talocrural joint in addition to standard therapy will result in a greater increase of ankle dorsiflexion ROM than just standard therapy alone.
Change in ligamentous laxity	Baseline and 4 weeks	We hypothesize that ligamentous laxity in both groups will be reduced.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Virginia; 🇺🇸 Charlottesville, Virginia, United States