Self-stress vs manual stress in talar tilt radiography.

Background: Radiographic study following inversion ankle sprain commonly is used to determine the presence of anatomic laxity across the talocrural joint.

Purpose: To compare the degree of talar tilt derived from a radiographic ankle stress exam under 2 conditions: self-stress vs manual stress applied by the clinician.

Methods: Twenty-four subjects seeking medical care following ankle sprain underwent talar tilt stress exams of both ankles.

Dabbing the Skin Surface Dry During Ice Massage Augments Rate of Temperature Drop.

While ice massage (IM) is a rapid cooling technique used to facilitate therapeutic movements in the rehabilitation process, evidence of its efficacy over alternative therapeutic protocols is scarce. We determined whether dabbing the skin surface dry during a standard IM treatment would lead to greater rate of skin temperature reduction in comparison to without dabbing; and whether dabbing the skin would lead to an acute change in flexibility. Sixteen healthy volunteers received a "dabbing" and "non-dabbing" 7-minute IM treatment over the surface of each triceps surae muscle.

Dimensions of the cervical neural foramina in resting and retracted positions using magnetic resonance imaging.

Study Design: Prospective within-subject experimental design using a sample of convenience.

Objectives: To describe cervical foraminal dimensions in vivo of nonimpaired, asymptomatic individuals in a neutral cervical spine position using magnetic resonance images, and then to document dimensional changes of the foramina when placing the neck in a retracted position.

Background: Physical therapists frequently use movement interventions to treat spine dysfunctio The influence of positional changes of the head and neck on the dimensions of the cervical neuiural foramina is not well documented.

Effect of a standard exercise protocol on shoulder pain in long-term wheelchair users.

Purpose: To analyze the effectiveness of a 6-month exercise protocol on shoulder pain experienced by wheelchair users during functional activities.

Subjects: Forty-two wheelchair users, 35 males and seven females: average age of 35 years and an average duration of wheelchair use of 14 years.

Methods: Subjects were randomly assigned to treatment (n=21) and control (n=21) groups.

The contributions of proprioceptive deficits, muscle function, and anatomic laxity to functional instability of the ankle.

Functional instability is a common complication following an acute ankle sprain. Three potential contributing factors underlying the ankle which chronically gives way are proprioceptive deficits, muscle weakness, and ligamentous laxity. This study's purpose was to document the presence or absence of these concerns in a sample of subjects with unilateral functional ankle instability.