Physical Therapy Modality
Conditions
Brief summary
Ankle range of motion is an important degree of freedom for performing activities of daily living. Limited range of ankle motion has been related to Achilles tendonitis, lower limb injury, and abnormal gait leading to overuse injury. While stretching and massage can help increase range of motion the amount and frequency of manual manipulation needed to affect range of motion is not accessible to an individual in their home. A new device has been developed to allow deep stretching of the ankle and surrounding muscles to help increase ankle dorsiflexion. This device can be used in an individual's home, without assistance, allowing more frequent stretching without increased visits to physical therapy. The goal of this study is to determine the effect of using this device during a course of treatment to improve ankle dorsiflexion in individuals with decreased ankle range of motion.
Interventions
DEVICEGrassroots Ankle Flex
This device can be used in an individual's home, without assistance, allowing more frequent stretching without increased visits to physical therapy. The Ankle Flex device is used to stretch patients into a dorsiflexion position by securing the foot to the base of the device and the shin to the leg strap attached to the pulley system. The patients can then pull the handle of the pulley system, giving them the mechanical advantage to gently mobilize their ankle into dorsiflexion with their foot firmly secured to the base of the device. This can allow for a deeper and more controlled stretch than previous stretching methods done during at home care.
Sponsors
Montana State University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of limited ankle range of dorsiflexion by physical therapist
Exclusion criteria
* Inability to perform testing activities as described in the consent form by self-report * Inability to perform daily stretching with the device by self-report
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle Range of Motion | Following 3 Weeks of Device Use | Range of motion during passive and active movement. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle Strength | Following 3 Weeks of Device Use | Strength in dorsiflexion |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed