The effect of talocrural joint manipulation on range of motion at the ankle.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a single high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust manipulation to the talocrural joint altered ankle range of motion.


METHODS
A randomized, controlled and blinded study.


METHODS
Asymptomatic male and female volunteers (N = 41).


METHODS
Subjects were randomly assigned into either an experimental group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 21). Both ankles of subjects in the experimental group were manipulated by using a single high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust to the talocrural joint. Pretest and posttest measurements of passive dorsiflexion range of motion were taken.


RESULTS
No significant changes in dorsiflexion range of motion were detected between manipulated ankles and those of control subjects. A significantly greater pretest dorsiflexion range of motion existed in those ankles in which manipulation produced an audible cavitation.


CONCLUSIONS
Manipulation of the ankle does not increase dorsiflexion range of motion in asymptomatic subjects. Ankles that displayed a greater pretest range of dorsiflexion were more likely to cavitate, raising the possibility that ligament laxity may be associated with the tendency for ankles to cavitate.
School of Health Sciences, City Campus, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
Gary A
GA
Fryer
Jacob M
JM
Mudge
Patrick A
PA
McLaughlin
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026882:Manipulation, Chiropractic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016474:Weight-Bearing