Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
A Passive Ankle Dorsiflexion Testing System for an In Vivo Model of Overuse-induced Tendinopathy
Published on: March 1, 2024
Passive stretching does not enhance outcomes in patients with plantarflexion contracture after cast immobilization
Anne M Moseley1, Robert D Herbert, Elizabeth J Nightingale
1School of Physiotherapy, University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe NSW 1825, Sydney, Australia. amoseley@mail.usyd.edu.au
Objective:
To compare the efficacy of short- and long-duration passive stretches with a control treatment for the management of plantarflexion contracture after cast immobilization for ankle fracture.
Design:
Assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial.
Setting:
Hospital physical therapy outpatient departments.
Participants:
Adults with plantarflexion contracture (N=150) after cast immobilization for ankle fracture. All subjects were weight bearing or partial weight bearing.
Interventions:
Exercise only, exercise plus short-duration passive stretch, and exercise plus long-duration passive stretch. All subjects had a 4-week course of exercises. In addition, subjects in the short-duration stretch plus exercise group completed 6 minutes of stretching per day, and subjects in the long-duration stretch plus exercise group completed 30 minutes of stretching per day.
Main Outcome Measures:
Lower Extremity Functional Scale and passive dorsiflexion range of motion with the knee bent and straight at baseline, and at 4 weeks and 3 months postintervention.
Results:
One hundred thirty-nine (93%) subjects completed the 4-week assessment and 134 (89%) subjects completed the 3-month assessment. There were no statistically significant or clinically important between-group differences for the primary outcomes.
Conclusions:
The addition of passive stretching confers no benefit over exercise alone for the treatment of plantarflexion contracture after cast immobilization for ankle fracture.
