|
Rozzi SL, Lephart SM, Sterner R, Kuligowski L. Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy, Volume 29, Number 8. August 1999. The authors of this study hypothesized that patients with reports of unstable ankles would have poor balance in a single leg stance and that these patients would benefit from balance training. They compared 13 subjects with reports of unstable ankles to 13 subjects with no history of ankle instability to determine if a difference was present initially and then they compared these two groups after the balance training to assess the effectiveness of the training protocol. All subjects were trained on one extremity only. They discovered that the subjects with reports of ankle instability did have impaired balance responses (27% less) when compared to the non-impaired group prior to training. After training, both groups demonstrated improved balance in the post-test. The experimental group, however, made greater progress than the non-impaired group during the training to end with almost identical balance scores. Both groups reported similar gains in functional stability. Prior to training, it was noted that those with an unstable ankle had decreased balance responses in their non-impaired limb as well. This may indicate a deficit in postural responses throughout the lower extremity. They also noted that both groups had improvements in both the trained limb and the untrained limb, indicating that the training influences centrally mediated neuromuscular control mechanisms. At Renaissance, we consider balance and proprioceptive training to be an essential part of ankle rehabilitation. Strength and range of motion are important for making gains, but balance is a very functional and therapeutic training aspect. We have used balance and proprioceptive training with excellent results with many patients.
Manual Therapy |
Special Services |
Community Services |
Healthcare Providers in the Puget Sound This website and all content copyright © 2002 Renaissance Physical Therapy NW. All Rights Reserved. info@renaissancept.com |
