Ankle and Foot Mobilisations

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Introduction

This page discusses the Maitland technique of mobilisation.

Joint mobilization refers to manual therapy techniques that are used to modulate pain and treat joint dysfunctions that limit the range of motion (ROM) by specifically addressing the altered mechanics of the joint. The altered joint mechanics may be due to pain and muscle guarding, joint effusion, contractures or adhesions in the joint capsules or supporting ligaments, or malalignment or subluxation of the bony surfaces.

Leg and ankle joints

Ventral glide at proximal tibiofibular joint

Indications

To increase the movement at the head of fibula.

To correct the positional fault of the subluxed head.

Position of the patient

Side lying and the trunk and hips are rotated a bit towards prone lying.

The leg which is on the top is flexed forward so that it rests on the table or on the pillow.

Therapist position and hand placement

Therapist stand behind the patient ,places one hand under the tibia to stabilize it.

The another hand is placed posterior to the head of fibula, fingers will wrap anteriorly.

Mobilizing force

The force is applied via the heel of the hand in anterolateral direction.

Anterior and posterior glide at distal tibiofibular joint

Indication

To increase the mobility when the ankle joint motion is restricted.

Talocrural Joint

Resting position

10 degrees of plantar flexion

Anterior(Ventral) Glide

Indication

The ventral glide is indicated to increase plantarflexion

Patient Position

Prone lying with the foot at the edge of the table.

Position of the therapist and hand placement

One hand is placed on the dorsum of the foot and grade I distraction is applied.

The Webspace of the other hand is placed on the posterior aspect of the talus and calcaneus.\

Mobilising force

Calcaneus is pushed in the anterior direction in order to glide the talus anteriorly.

Posterior (Dorsal) Glide

Indication

To increase dorsiflexion

Patient position

Supine lying with the heel at the edge of the couch

Position of the therapist with hand placement

The therapist is at the side of the patient and the leg is stabilized by the belt or the cranial hand.

The palmar aspect of the webspace of the other hand is placed over the talus, just distal to the ankle joint.

The foot is maintained in the resting position and grade I distraction is applied in the inferior direction.

Mobilisation

Glide is given on the talus bone in the posterior direction with respect to the tibia.

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Subtalar (Talocalcaneal) Joint

• Subtalar Distraction 

This mobilization is indicated in pain control, general mobility for inversion/eversion.

The patient is placed in a supine position, with the leg supported on the table and heel over the edge.The hip is externally rotated so the talocrural joint can be stabilized in dorsiflexion with pressure from the therapist thigh against the plantar surface of the patient’s forefoot.

The distal hand grasps around the calcaneus from the pos terior aspect of the foot. The other hand fixes the talus and malleoli against the table and the calcaneus is pulled distally with respect to the long axis of the leg.

• Subtalar Medial Glide or Lateral Glide 

Medial glide to increase eversion; lateral glide to increase inversion.

The patient is side-lying or prone, with the leg supported on the table or with a towel roll. The Therapists aligns shoulder and arm parallel to the bottom of the foot,

stabilizes the talus with the proximal hand and places the base of the distal hand on the side of the calcaneus medially to cause a lateral glide and laterally to cause

a medial glide. Wraps the fingers around the plantar surface and apply a grade I distraction force in a caudal direction, then pushes with the base of the hand against the side of the calcaneus parallel to the planter surface of the heel.

Intertarsal and TarsometatarsalPlantar Glide 

Indication: To increase plantarflexion accessory motions (necessary for supination)

The patient is supine with hip and knee flexed, or sitting, with knee flexed over the edge of the table and heel resting on the Therapist lap. Therapist stabilizes the joint by fixating the more proximal bone with the index finger on the plantar surface of the bone.

To mobilize the tarsal joints along the medial aspect of the foot, Therapist positions himself on the lateral side of the foot and places the proximal hand on the dorsum of the foot with the fingers pointing medially so the index finger can be wrapped around and placed under the bone to be stabilized.

He then places his thenar eminence of the distal hand over the dorsal surface of the bone to be moved and wrap the fingers around the plantar surface.

To mobilize the lateral tarsal joints,he positions himself on the medial side of the foot, point his fingers laterally and position his hands around the bones as just

described.

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