Does Talocrural Joint-Thrust Manipulation Improve Outcomes After Inversion Ankle Sprain?

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Ankle sprains are common sports injuries, often caused by inversion, leading to lateral ligament damage.
• Patients experience pain, swelling, and reduced ankle range of motion (ROM) and function.
• Loss of talocrural joint mobility is a suspected contributor to these functional deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of talocrural joint-thrust manipulation (TJM) in improving outcomes for patients with a history of ankle sprain.
• To determine the impact of TJM on dorsiflexion (DF) ROM, self-reported function, and pain levels.

Main Methods:

• A review of existing investigations was conducted.
• The focus was on studies examining TJM applied to the talocrural joint.
• Outcomes assessed included DF ROM, self-reported function, and pain.

Main Results:

• Talocrural joint-thrust manipulation (TJM) demonstrated a positive impact on dorsiflexion (DF) range of motion (ROM).
• Improvements were also noted in self-reported function following TJM.
• Evidence suggests TJM can be beneficial for pain reduction in this patient population.

Conclusions:

• Talocrural joint-thrust manipulation (TJM) is a potentially effective intervention for improving dorsiflexion (DF) ROM and function after ankle sprain.
• TJM may also contribute to pain relief in individuals with a history of inversion ankle sprains.
• Further research can explore optimal TJM protocols for ankle sprain rehabilitation.