The Acute effects of Talocrural MWM compared with the application of Soft-tissue of the plantarfascia on chronic Lateral Ankle Sprains for ankle Dorsiflexion R.O.M.

Previous research has looked at various treatment remedies for improving acute ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion (DFROM) post chronic Lateral Ankle Sprain (LAS). Mulligan’s Mobilisation with Movement (MWM) appears frequently however, the significance and mechanism remain quite conflicting (Gilbreath et al., 2015). It is also known that after a LAS, the Lateral Ligament Complex (LLC) is compromised and the calcaneus inverts, increasing stiffness of plantarfascia (Al-Mohrej & Al-Kenani, 2016, Denegar et al., 2002, Loudon & Bell, 1996). The objective of this study was to further explore the effectiveness of MWM compared with soft-tissue (ST) application of the plantarfascia on acute ankle DFROM. 20 male Gaelic footballers (Mean ± SD: Age = 22.5 ± 1.5 years, Ankle DFROM = 29.9⁰ ± 8.6⁰) with a history of chronic LAS (\u3e6-months with no current or recent lower-chain injuries andDFROM) were split into two groups using subject-matching: MWM (n=10), plantarfascia (n=10). The main outcome measure was ankle DFROM using a Weight-Bearing Lunge Test (WBLT) both pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention. There was significant evidence to support the utilisation of either treatment for the improvement of acute ankle DFROM post chronic LAS (P≤0.001). Each group saw increases in ankle DFROM (MWM: 5.6%, plantarfascia: 18.5%) however, there was no statistically significant differences between groups (P≤0.001) and only a small effect size was observed (0.4). These results indicate the clinical relevance of incorporating either treatment intervention into the rehabilitation or treatment protocol of chronic LAS. It would be of interest to view the lasting effects of this study or to view how the treatment interventions may have performed once combined and so future research is recommended for greater comprehension