The effect of talo-crural joint manipulation on range of motion at the ankle joint in subjects with a history of ankle injury

There is little research available on the effects of peripheral joint manipulation. Only a few studies have examined the effect of manipulation on ankle range of motion, with conflicting results. This study aimed to determine whether a single high-velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) thrust manipulation to the talocrural joint altered ankle range of motion in subjects with a history of lateral ligament sprain. Male and female volunteers with a history of lateral ligament sprain were randomly assigned into either an experimental group or a control group. Those in the experimental group received a single HVLA thrust to the talo-crural joint, whilst those in the control group received no treatment intervention. Pre-test and post-test measurements of passive dorisflexion range of motion were taken. No significant changes in dorisflexion range of motion were detected between manipulated ankles and those of control subjects using dependent and independent t-tests. Ankles that cavitated displayed a greater mean DFR and large effect size compared to those that did not gap and cavitate, but analysis with ANOVA revealed these differences to be not significant. HVLA manipulation of the ankle did not increase dorisflexion range of motion in subjects with a history of lateral ligament sprain. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program