Effects of midfoot joint mobilization on ankle-foot morphology and function following acute ankle sprain. A crossover clinical trial.

Background: Midfoot joint impairment is likely following lateral ankle sprain (LAS) that may benefit from mobilization.

Objective: To investigate the effects of midfoot joint mobilizations and a one-week home exercise program (HEP) compared to a sham intervention and HEP on pain, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), ankle-foot joint mobility, and neuromotor function in young adults with recent LAS.

Methods: All participants were instructed in a stretching, strengthening, and balance HEP and were randomized a priori to receive midfoot joint mobilizations (forefoot supination, cuboid glide and plantar 1st tarsometatarsal) or a sham laying-of-hands. Changes in pain, physical, psychological, and functional PROs, foot morphology, joint mobility, pain-to-palpation, neuromotor function, and dynamic balance were assessed pre-to-post treatment and one-week following. Participants crossed-over following a one-week washout to receive the alternate treatment and were assessed pre-to-post treatment and one-week following. ANOVAs, t-tests, proportions, and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to assess changes in outcomes. Cohen's d and 95% CI compared treatment effects at each time-point.

Results: Midfoot joint mobilization had greater effects (p < .05) in reducing pain 1-week post (d = 0.8), and increasing Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (immediate: d = 0.6) and Global Rating of Change (immediate: d = 0.6) compared to a sham treatment and HEP.

Conclusion: Midfoot joint mobilizations and HEP yielded greater pain reduction and perceived improvement compared to sham and is recommended in a comprehensive rehabilitation program following LAS.