The effectiveness of mobilization with movement at improving dorsiflexion after ankle sprain

Ankle sprains are the most frequently occurring orthopedic injury among the physically active. The number 1 risk factor for suffering an ankle sprain is a history of a previous sprain. Those with a history of ankle sprain often report recurrent bouts of ankle instability and decreased functional capacity. Several mechanical and functional deficits have been identified that may contribute to residual symptoms, sequelae, and functional loss. One is decreased dorsiflexion range of motion. This deficit could predispose the patient to alterations in the ankle axis of rotation, changes in alignment and tracking of bony surfaces, and disrupted proprioceptive input to the sensorimotor system resulting in future ankle sprains or ankle osteoarthritis. Therefore, improving accessory and physiological motion at the talocrural joint is a clinical consideration. Joint mobilizations could be an effective intervention for addressing these alterations during rehabilitation. A joint-mobilization technique known as mobilization with movement (MWM) is of particular interest because this method is the concurrent application of an accessory mobilization with active or passive physiological movement.