NCT04178369

The Effects of Proximal And Distal Tibiofibular Joint Manipulations on Foot Posture, Ankle Range of Motion, and Balance

The Effects of Proximal And Distal Tibiofibular Joint Manipulations on Foot Posture, Ankle Range of Motion, and Balance in Chronic Hemiplegic Individuals

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 28 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Hacettepe University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Limited ankle dorsiflexion adversely affects the weight bearing capacity, increases the knee extensor moment and causes insufficient maneuvers to change the center of gravity of the body in patients with hemiplegia. While biomechanical studies emphasized the importance of proximal tibiofibular joint and distal tibiofibular joint manipulations for ankle dorsiflexion, no studies examining the effect of corrective manipulation techniques applied to these two joints on foot posture, range of motion and balance were observed.

Detailed description

In chronic hemiplegic individuals, gait loss due to biomechanical disorders of the talocrural joint (TCJ) and subtalar joint (STJ) affects 50% of the population. Although foot posture is seen at the same rate in pronation and supination, approximately 30% of individuals have abnormal and asymmetric foot posture. In particular, foot posture in the direction of plantar flexion and inversion leads to limited ankle mobility. Loss of mobility can be caused by non-neural factors as well as neural factors such as spasticity and increased myostatic reflex. Due to long-term immobilization, negative changes are seen in the tissues such as bone, muscle, tendon and ligament and especially ankle dorsiflexion is limited. Limited ankle dorsiflexion adversely affects the weight bearing capacity, increases the knee extensor moment and causes insufficient maneuvers to change the center of gravity of the body in patients with hemiplegia. The main problem is the timing of the posterior foot plantar flexion after the first contact at the beginning of the posture phase; in the late phase, defective heel and forefoot rocker roll mechanism due to the failure of forward weight transfer. For these reasons, foot posture, ankle joint range of motion and balance are adversely affected in hemiplegic individuals. Biomechanical problems related to foot deformities in chronic hemiplegic individuals have been frequently associated with TCJ and STJ anomalies. However, in biomechanical studies, it is emphasized that proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ) and distal tibiofibular joint (DTFJ) have important roles in optimal ankle dorsiflexion. Although PTFJ is anatomically belonging to the knee, it is evaluated within the foot-ankle complex as a function. PTFJ makes slip movements during movement in TCJ. Limitations in PTFJ movement result in limitation of the endpoints of normal ankle joint movement and anterior pain in the ankle during weight bearing. Increased tension in the lateral ligaments due to plantar flexion and inversion anomalies and traumas of the ankle applies inferior directional traction force to the distal fibula.This leads to fibular rotation in the parasagittal plane. Anterior and inferior movement of the distal fibula causes inferior and posterior shifting of the PTFJ and the PTFJ locks. This locking restricts the movement of the entire fibula during ankle movements and leads to a limitation of dorsiflexion of TCJ. It is emphasized that ankle posture significantly affects DTFJ in addition to PTFJ. The anterior ligament of DTFJ is closely related to the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). Plantar flexion and inversion of the trauma or supination of the foot posture, etc. conditions increase the tension in the lateral ligaments and cause pathologies in ATFL. This situation adversely affects the anterior ligament of DTFJ, leading to instability risk in this joint and loss of dorsiflexion in TCJ. While biomechanical studies emphasized the importance of proximal tibiofibular joint and distal tibiofibular joint manipulations for ankle dorsiflexion, no studies examining the effect of corrective manipulation techniques applied to these two joints on foot posture, range of motion and balance were observed. It is thought that PTFJ and DTFJ also have an effect on the above mentioned biomechanical chain in functional deficiencies caused by foot posture in the direction of plantar flexion and inversion. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of PTFJ and DTFJ manipulation techniques on foot posture, range of motion and balance parameters in chronic hemiplegic subjects.

Conditions

• Hemiplegia
• Gait, Hemiplegic
• Mobility Limitation

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Proximal And Distal Tibiofibular Joint Manipulations	For PTFJ, the experimental intervention will be based on previously published methods. Physiotherapist will make contact with the fibular head, extending to the popliteal fossa. The associated soft tissue will be pulled in a lateral direction until the metacarpophalangeal joint will be firmly stabilized behind the fibular head. For DTFJ, the experimental intervention will be conducted according to previously published methods. Physiotherapist will grasp and stabilize the distal tibia with one hand and grasp the distal fibula between the finger and thenar eminence of the other hand. The fibula will be translated posteriorly until the restrictive barrier (end range) will be engaged. Then a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust will be applied through the fibula in a posterior-superior direction.
OTHER	Bobath Treatment	All participants will be given a 6-week-long physiotherapy and rehabilitation program based on the Bobath concept for 5 days a week, 45 minutes each. The techniques will be applied by a physiotherapist who is specialized in Bobath concept. 35 different techniques will be used to improve the selective control and weight transfer of the pelvis in sitting, standing and supine/side lying positions. Moreover, soft tissue mobilization will be also used to relieve tension and loosen stiff tissues to provide biomechanical alignment and reduce pain.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-12-20
• Primary completion: 2020-03-20
• Completion: 2020-04-20
• First posted: 2019-11-26
• Last updated: 2019-11-26