Joint manipulation in chronic ankle instability: An integrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62827/fb.v27i4.1180Keywords:
Joint Instability; Ankle Joint; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Rehabilitation.Abstract
Introduction: Chronic ankle instability is a common condition following recurrent sprain episodes, associated with pain, functional limitations, dorsiflexion deficits, proprioceptive alterations, and impaired physical performance. Objective: To describe the effects of joint manipulation on ankle instability. Methods: This is an integrative literature review conducted through searches in the databases U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), using the descriptors “joint manipulation,” “joint instability,” and “ankle,” as well as their equivalents in English and Spanish, combined with Boolean operators. Primary studies published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish between 2015 and 2025 were included, investigating joint manipulation or mobilization interventions in individuals with this clinical condition. Results: Evidence was found that joint manipulation and mobilization techniques may act as adjunct therapeutic resources in the rehabilitation of individuals with chronic ankle instability, particularly in relation to pain, dorsiflexion, balance, and function. Conclusion: Manual therapy techniques, especially high-velocity, low-amplitude talocrural manipulation, either alone or combined with therapeutic exercises, promoted improvements in pain, dorsiflexion range of motion, dynamic balance, and functional ankle performance, in addition to potential neurophysiological effects related to muscle recruitment.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Lucas Sousa Guimarães, Nayara Sâmia Vaz Borges de Sousa, Paulo Roberto Milanez Oliveira Junior, Dionis de Castro Dutra Machado (Autor)
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