Immediate effects of hip mobilization on pain and baropodometric variables--a case report

Manual therapy is an important tool for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders of mechanical origin. Since the hip is an important structure for weight bearing as well as static and dynamic balance, it is suggested that hip impairments may affect weight distribution. Both static and dynamic balance are dependent on adequate joint mobility which in the presence of any kind of alteration can lead to modifications of plantar pressure distribution patterns which, in turn, can be detected by computerized baropodometry. The aim of this study was to verify clinical and baropodometric immediate effects of a single session of hip mobilization in a patient with chronic anterior hip pain. A physically active 21-year old patient underwent a pre-intervention assessment which included pain rating, active and passive range of movement, passive accessory movement as well as static and dynamic barodometry. The intervention consisted of an anteroposterior grade III + mobilization of the right hip, which was conducted with patient in left side-lying with the right hip flexed at approximately 45°. After the intervention, the patient's pain was reduced and there was an improvement in the active movement related to the pain generation. Baropodometric assessment showed plantar peak pressures shift on both feet, from forefoot to rear foot, and there was also reduction in anteroposterior center of pressure displacement on static recording.