The Effect of Different Talocrural Joint Mobilization Techniques in Lateral Ankle Sprain

Overview

Decreased ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) has been identified among the factors that increase the risk of lateral ankle sprain (LAS) in basketball players. Restoring the DFROM is important in restoring reduced functional abilities and reducing the risk of re-injury. There is evidence that talocrural joint mobilization improves DFROM, but studies investigating the effectiveness of different mobilization techniques are needed. Our study aims to investigate the effects of single-session Mulligan and Maitland talocrural joint mobilization methods on dorsiflexion joint range of motion, jumping performance, and kinesiophobia in elite basketball players.

Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) accounts for 80% of all ankle injuries. LAS injuries have high recurrence rates and are the most common injury type in basketball players with a rate of 41.1%. Many LAS injuries; It occurs in situations such as falling to the ground after jumping, at the end of the swing phase, during contact of the foot with the ground, in hard turns, collision, falling and sudden stopping. Decreased ankle dorsiflexion range of motion has been identified among the factors that increase the risk of LAS in basketball players. Dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) of the ankle is important in restoring reduced functional abilities and reducing the risk of re-injury. Among the talocrural antero-posterior mobilization techniques, Maitland 3rd degree talocrural anterior-posterior mobilization and Mulligan talocrural mobilization with movement are frequently preferred mobilization methods. Ankle DFROM limitation reduces the ability to absorb force through the lower extremity during jumping and landing, resulting in a decrease in vertical jumping ability. Fear of movement, called kinesiophobia, is a primary psychosocial construct in the fear-avoidance model. The development of chronic pain to sports injury appears to be a common psychological response. Because fear of re-injury can impact recovery as a barrier to return to sport, it is important to recognize fear of movement/re-injury to facilitate athletes' return to sport. Although kinesiophobia is associated with chronic orthopedic symptoms, there are no studies on athletes with LAS. There is little evidence regarding the association of kinesiophobia in athletes with chronic ankle instability, the advanced version of which presents with symptoms for 12 months or more. Although the effects of different treatment methods on kinesiophobia have been investigated in the literature, to our knowledge, the effect of talocrural joint mobilization on kinesiophobia has not been investigated. The study aimed to investigate the effects of different talocrural joint mobilization techniques on jumping performance and kinesiophobia in elite basketball players with LAS.