ROLE OF ELASTIC RESISTANCE, MANUAL MOBILIZATION TECHNIQUES AND DEEP OSCILLATION IN THE TREATMENT OF ANKLE FRACTURES

Abstract

The ankle joint is a kinetic joint that allows the lower extremity to interact with the ground, a key requirement for gait. During walking, the ankle bears a lot of pressure, but its bony and ligamentous structure allows it to function with a high degree of stability and, compared to other joints such as the hip or knee, it seems far less susceptible to degenerative processes such as osteoarthritis. Ankle fractures are common - 9% of all fractures. One of the main means of treating ankle fractures is kinesitherapy. The purpose of this report is to present the effectiveness of a methodology we developed for functional recovery after ankle fractures treated operatively. Material and Methods: 10 patients with ankle fractures treated surgically participated in this pilot study. Patients were divided into 2 groups - control and experimental. A specialized program of the experimental group included: manual-mobilization techniques, techniques with different types of elastic resistance, balance and proprioception training, and deep oscillation. Patients enrolled in the study underwent a secondary examination by an orthopaedic trauma surgeon, consolidation of the calcaneus and permission for partial limb strapping. Functional diagnostic methods included: angulometry, centimetometry, manual muscle testing, VAS, and the American Orthopaedic Association Ankle and Foot Assessment Scale. Patients were examined on the day of initiation of the rehabilitation program, on the first month and on the third month. Patients in the experimental group showed significantly better results than those in the control group. In the pilot study, we found that there were statistically significant differences in both groups. The methodology we applied had a better effect on the functional recovery of patients with ankle fractures compared to the kinesiotherapy program applied in the control group.