advertising
-
1.
Charles J. , Scutter SD. & Buckley J. Static ankle joint equinus: toward a standard definition and diagnosis. JAPMA 100: 195, 2010.
-
2.
Drewes LK. , McKeon PO. & Kerrigan DC. et al.: Dorsiflexion deficit during jogging with chronic ankle instability. J Sci Med Sport 12: 685, 2009.
-
3.
Hoch MC. , Staton GS. & Medina McKeon JM. et al.: Dorsiflexion and dynamic postural control deficits are present in those with chronic ankle instability. J Sci Med Sport 15: 574, 2012.
-
4.
Youdas JW. , McLean TJ. & Krause DA. et al.: Changes in active ankle dorsiflexion range of motion after acute inversion ankle sprain. J Sport Rehabil 18: 358, 2009.
-
5.
Terada M. , Pietrosimone BG. & Gribble PA. Therapeutic interventions for increasing ankle dorsiflexion after ankle sprain: a systematic review. J Athl Train 48: 696, 2013.
-
6.
Hoch MC. , Staton GS. & McKeon PO. Dorsiflexion range of motion significantly influences dynamic balance. J Sci Med Sport 14: 90, 2011.
-
7.
Chimera NJ. , Castro M. & Davis I. et al.: The effect of isolated gastrocnemius contracture and gastrocnemius recession on lower extremity kinematics and kinetics during stance. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 27: 917, 2012.
-
8.
Gatt A. & Chockalingam N. Clinical assessment of ankle joint dorsiflexion: a review of measurement techniques. JAPMA 101: 59, 2011.
-
9.
Kovaleski JE. , Gurchiek LR. & Heitman RJ. et al.: Instrumented measurement of anteroposterior and inversion-eversion laxity of the normal ankle joint complex. Foot Ankle Int 20: 808, 1999.
-
10.
Needle AR. , Baumeister J. & Kaminski TW. et al.: Neuromechanical coupling in the regulation of muscle tone and joint stiffness. Scand J Med Sci Sports 24: 737, 2014.
-
11.
Konor MM. , Morton S. & Eckerson JM. et al.: Reliability of three measures of ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. Int J Sports Phys Ther 7: 279, 2012.
-
12.
Hoch MC. & McKeon PO. Normative range of weight-bearing lunge test performance asymmetry in healthy adults. Man Ther 16: 516, 2011.
-
13.
Blackburn JT. , Padua DA. & Weinhold PS. et al.: Comparison of triceps surae structural stiffness and material modulus across sex. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 21: 159, 2006.
-
14.
McGinnis K. , Snyder-Mackler L. & Flowers P. et al.: Dynamic joint stiffness and co-contraction in subjects after total knee arthroplasty. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 28: 205, 2013.
-
15.
Needle AR. , Kaminski TW. & Baumeister J. et al.: The relationship between joint stiffness and muscle activity in unstable ankles and copers. J Sport Rehabil 26: 15, 2017.
-
16.
Gatt A. & Chockalingam N. Validity and reliability of a new ankle dorsiflexion measurement device. Prosthet Orthot Int 37: 289, 2013.
-
17.
Greisberg J. , Drake J. & Crisco J. et al.: The reliability of a new device designed to assess gastrocnemius contracture. Foot Ankle Int 23: 655, 2002.
-
18.
Kobayashi T. , Leung AK. & Hutchins SW. Design of a manual device to measure ankle joint stiffness and range of motion. Prosthet Orthot Int 35: 478, 2011.
-
19.
Larsen P. , Nielsen HB. & Lund C. et al.: A novel tool for measuring ankle dorsiflexion: a study of its reliability in patients following ankle fractures. Foot Ankle Surg 22: 274, 2016.
-
20.
Meyer DC. , Werner CM. & Wyss T. et al.: A mechanical equinometer to measure the range of motion of the ankle joint: interobserver and intraobserver reliability. Foot Ankle Int 27: 202, 2006.
-
21.
Kovaleski JE. , Hollis J. & Heitman RJ. et al.: Assessment of ankle-subtalar-joint-complex laxity using an instrumented ankle arthrometer: an experimental cadaveric investigation. J Athl Train 37: 467, 2002.
-
22.
Wilken J. , Rao S. & Estin M. et al.: A new device for assessing ankle dorsiflexion motion: reliability and validity. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 41: 274, 2011.
-
23.
Bennell KL. , Talbot RC. & Wajswelner H. et al.: Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of a weight-bearing lunge measure of ankle dorsiflexion. Aust J Physiother 44: 175, 1998.
-
24.
Disanto TJ. , Swanik CB. & Swanik KA. et al.: Concurrent validity of the anterior drawer test and an arthrometer in evaluating ankle laxity. Athl Train Sports Health Care 3: 15, 2011.
-
25.
Koo TK. & Li MY. A guideline of selecting and reporting intraclass correlation coefficients for reliability research. J Chiropr Med 15: 155, 2016.
-
26.
Krause DA. , Cloud BA. & Forster LA. et al.: Measurement of ankle dorsiflexion: a comparison of active and passive techniques in multiple positions. J Sport Rehabil 20: 333, 2011.
-
27.
Moseley AM. , Crosbie J. & Adams R. Normative data for passive ankle plantarflexion: dorsiflexion flexibility. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 16: 514, 2001.
-
28.
Kovaleski JE. , Norrell PM. & Heitman RJ. et al.: Knee and ankle position, anterior drawer laxity, and stiffness of the ankle complex. J Athl Train 43: 242, 2008.
-
29.
Hubbard TJ. , Kovaleski JE. & Kaminski TW. Reliability of intratester and intertester measurements derived from an instrumented ankle arthrometer. J Sport Rehabil 12: 208, 2003.
-
30.
Charles J. The design, development, and reliability testing of a new innovative device to measure ankle joint dorsiflexion. JAPMA 106: 338, 2016.
-
31.
Elveru RA. , Rothstein JM. & Lamb RL. Goniometric reliability in a clinical setting: subtalar and ankle joint measurements. Phys Ther 68: 672, 1988.
-
32.
Donnery J. & Spencer RB. The biplane goniometer: a new device for measurement of ankle dorsiflexion. JAPMA 78: 348, 1988.
-
33.
Weaver K. , Price R. & Czerniecki J. et al.: Design and validation of an instrument package designed to increase the reliability of ankle range of motion measurements. J Rehabil Res Dev 38: 471, 2001.
-
34.
Assal M. , Shofer JB. & Rohr E. et al.: Assessment of an electronic goniometer designed to measure equinus contracture. J Rehabil Res Dev 40: 235, 2003.
-
35.
Needle AR. , Baumeister J. & Farquhar WB. et al. The relationship between the sensory responses to ankle-joint loading and corticomotor excitability. Int J Neurosci 128: 435, 2018.
-
36.
Chesworth BM. & Vandervoort AA. Reliability of a torque motor system for measurement of passive ankle joint stiffness in control subjects. Physiother Can 40: 300, 1988.
-
37.
Lorentzen J. , Grey MJ. & Geertsen SS. et al.: Assessment of a portable device for the quantitative measurement of ankle joint stiffness in spastic individuals. Clin Neurophysiol 123: 1371, 2012.
-
38.
Sobolewski EJ. , Ryan ED. & Thompson BJ. Influence of maximum range of motion and stiffness on the viscoelastic stretch response. Muscle Nerve 48: 571, 2013.
-
39.
Whitting JW. , Steele JR. & McGhee DE. et al.: Passive dorsiflexion stiffness is poorly correlated with passive dorsiflexion range of motion. J Sci Med Sport 16: 157, 2013.
-
40.
Loudon JK. , Reiman MP. & Sylvain J. The efficacy of manual joint mobilisation/manipulation in treatment of lateral ankle sprains: a systematic review. Br J Sports Med 48: 365, 2014.
Use of an Instrumented Ankle Arthrometer and External Strain Gauge to Assess Ankle Dorsiflexion Motion and Plantarflexor Stiffness
Search for other papers by Alan R. Needle in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Maurice K. McAlister in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Zachary J. Felpel in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Jeffrey M. McBride in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Background
Ankle dorsiflexion motion and plantarflexor stiffness measurement offer clinical insight into the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal and neurologic disorders. We aimed to determine reliability and concurrent validity of an ankle arthrometer in quantifying dorsiflexion motion and plantarflexor stiffness.
Methods
Ten healthy individuals were assessed for dorsiflexion motion and plantarflexor stiffness using an ankle arthrometer with a 6 degree-of-freedom kinematic linkage system and external strain gauge to apply dorsiflexion torque. Two investigators each performed five loads to the ankle at different combinations of loads (10 or 20 Nm), rates (2.5 or 5 Nm/sec), and knee angles (10° or 20°). Anteroposterior displacement and inversion-eversion rotation were also assessed with arthrometry, and functional dorsiflexion motion was assessed with the weightbearing lunge (WBL) test.
Results
Good-to-excellent intrarater reliability was observed for peak dorsiflexion (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC][2,k] = 0.949–0.988) and plantarflexor stiffness (ICC[2,k] = 0.761–0.984). Interrater reliability was good to excellent for peak dorsiflexion (ICC[2,1] = 0.766–0.910) and poor to excellent for plantarflexor stiffness (ICC[2,1] = 0.275–0.914). Reliability was best for 20-Nm loads at 5 Nm/sec. Strong correlations were observed between peak dorsiflexion and anteroposterior displacement (r = 0.666; P = 0.035) and WBL distance (r = -0.681; P = 0.036).
Conclusions
Using an ankle arthrometer to assess peak dorsiflexion and plantarflexor stiffness seems reliable when performed to greater torques with faster speeds; and offers consistency with functional measures. Use of this readily available tool may benefit clinicians attempting to quantify equinus and dorsiflexion deficits in pathological populations.
advertising
