Effectiveness of exercise therapy and manual mobilisation in ankle sprain and functional instability: a systematic review

This study critically reviews the effectiveness of exercise therapy and manual mobilisation in acute ankle sprains and functional instability by conducting a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Trials were searched electronically and manually from 1966 to March 2005. Randomised controlled trials that evaluated exercise therapy or manual mobilisation of the ankle joint with at least one clinically relevant outcome measure were included. Internal validity of the studies was independently assessed by two reviewers. When applicable, relative risk (RR) or standardised mean differences (SMD) were calculated for individual and pooled data. In total 17 studies were included. In thirteen studies the intervention included exercise therapy and in four studies the effects of manual mobilisation of the ankle joint was evaluated. Average internal validity score of the studies was 3.1 (range 1 to 7) on a 10-point scale. Exercise therapy was effective in reducing the risk of recurrent sprains after acute ankle sprain: RR 0.37 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.74), and with functional instability: RR 0.38 (95% CI 0.23 to 0.62). No effects of exercise therapy were found on postural sway in patients with functional instability: SMD: 0.38 (95% CI -0.15 to 0.91). Four studies demonstrated an initial positive effect of different modes of manual mobilisation on dorsiflexion range of motion. It is likely that exercise therapy, including the use of a wobble board, is effective in the prevention of recurrent ankle sprains. Manual mobilisation has an (initial) effect on dorsiflexion range of motion, but the clinical relevance of these findings for physiotherapy practice may be limited.

Dynamic extensor brace for lateral epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is a common, often disabling ailment. Based on the failure of current therapies, a new dynamic extensor brace has been developed. In this study, the effects of application of this brace for 3 months on the most important and disabling symptoms of patients with lateral epicondylitis were assessed. After prestratification for the duration of complaints (ie, < or = 3 months and > or = 3 months), 63 patients initially were assigned randomly to 12 weeks of brace treatment (Group 1; n = 30) or no brace treatment (Group 2; n = 33). Outcome measures included pain (VAS), pain-free grip strength, maximum grip strength, and functionality of the arm. All outcomes were assessed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks. Brace treatment resulted in significant pain reduction, improved functionality of the arm, and improvement in pain-free grip strength. The beneficial effects of the dynamic extensor brace observed after 12 weeks were significantly different from the treatment group that received no brace. The beneficial effects were sustained for another 12 weeks. No correlation between duration of symptoms and treatment effects of the brace was revealed. The dynamic extensor brace is an effective therapeutic tool for treating lateral epicondylitis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study. Level I (randomized controlled trial with statistically significant difference). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Measurement and Evaluation of Dynamic Joint Stability of the Knee and Ankle After Injury

Injuries to the lower extremity, specifically the knee and ankle joints of the human body can occur in any athletic event and are most prevalent in sports requiring cutting and jumping manoeuvres. These joints are forced to rely on the dynamic restraints to maintain joint stability, due to the lack of bony congruence and the inability of the static restraints to handle the forces generated during functional tasks. Numerous variables (proprioception, postural control, electromyography, kinetics/kinematics, dynamic stability protocols) have been measured to better understand how the body maintains joint stability during a wide range of activities from static standing to dynamic cutting or landing from a jump. While the importance of dynamic restraints is not questioned, a recent impetus to conduct more functional or sport-specific testing has emerged and placed a great deal of emphasis on dynamic joint stability and how it is affected by lower extremity injuries. Evidence suggests that surgery and aggressive rehabilitation will not necessarily restore the deficits in dynamic joint stability caused by injury to the anterior cruciate ligament or lateral ankle ligaments. In today's athletic society, there is a major push to return athletes to play as quickly as possible. However, the ramifications of those decisions have not been fully grasped. If an athlete is not fully recovered, a quick return to play could start a vicious cycle of chronic injuries or permanent disability.

Comparison of effects of Cyriax physiotherapy, a supervised exercise programme and polarized polychromatic non-coherent light (Bioptron light) for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of Cyriax physiotherapy, a supervised exercise programme, and polarized polychromatic non-coherent light (Bioptron light) in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.

DESIGN

Controlled clinical trial.

SETTING

Rheumatology and rehabilitation centre.

SUBJECTS

This study was carried out with 75 patients who had lateral epicondylitis. They were allocated to three groups by sequential allocation.

INTERVENTIONS

Group A (n = 25) was treated with Cyriax physiotherapy. A supervised exercise programme was given to group B (n = 25). Group C (n = 25) received polarized polychromatic non-coherent light (Bioptron light). All patients received three treatments per week for four weeks.

OUTCOMES

Pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale and function using a visual analogue scale and pain-free grip strength at the end of the four-week course of treatment (week 4), one month (week 8), three months (week 16) and six months (week 28) after the end of treatment.

RESULTS

The supervised exercise programme produced the largest effect in the reduction of pain and in the improvement of function at the end of the treatment (P<0.05) and at any of the follow-up time points (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The supervised exercise programme should be the first treatment option for therapists when they manage lateral epicondylitis patients. If this is not possible, Cyriax physiotherapy and polarized polychromatic non-coherent light (Bioptron light) may be suitable.

A controlled clinical pilot trial to study the effectiveness of ice as a supplement to the exercise programme for the management of lateral elbow tendinopathy

BACKGROUND

The use of ice as a supplement to an exercise programme has been recommended for the management of lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET). No studies have examined its effectiveness.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether an exercise programme supplemented with ice is more successful than the exercise programme alone in treating patients with LET.

METHODS

Patients with unilateral LET for at least four weeks were included in this pilot study. They were sequentially allocated to receive five times a week for four weeks either an exercise programme with ice or the exercise programme alone. The exercise programme consisted of slow progressive eccentric exercises of wrist extensors and static stretching of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon. In the exercise programme/ice group, the ice was applied after the exercise programme for 10 minutes in the form of an ice bag to the facet of the lateral epicondyle. Patients were evaluated at baseline, at the end of treatment, and three months after the end of treatment. Outcome measures used were the pain visual analogue scale and the dropout rate.

RESULTS

Forty patients met the inclusion criteria. At the end of treatment there was a decline in visual analogue scale of about 7 units in both groups compared with baseline (p<0.0005, paired t test). There were no significant differences in the magnitude of reduction between the groups at the end of treatment and at the three month follow up (p<0.0005, independent t test). There were no dropouts.

CONCLUSIONS

An exercise programme consisting of eccentric and static stretching exercises had reduced the pain in patients with LET at the end of the treatment and at the follow up whether or not ice was included. Further research to establish the relative, absolute, and cost effectiveness as well as the mechanism of action of the exercise programme is needed.

An exercise programme for the management of lateral elbow tendinopathy

BACKGROUND

Home exercise programmes and exercise programmes carried out in a clinical setting are commonly advocated for the treatment of lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET), a very common lesion of the arm with a well-defined clinical presentation. The aim of this study is to describe the use and effects of strengthening and stretching exercise programmes in the treatment of LET.

ECCENTRIC EXERCISES

Slow progressive eccentric exercises for LET should be performed with the elbow in extension, forearm in pronation, and wrist in extended position (as high as possible). However, it is unclear how the injured tendon, which is loaded eccentrically, returns to the starting position without experiencing concentric loading and how the "slowness" of eccentric exercises should be defined. Nor has the treatment regimen of the eccentric exercises of a supervised exercise programme been defined.

STRETCHING EXERCISES

Static stretching is defined as passively stretching a given muscle-tendon unit by slowly placing and maintaining it in a maximal position of stretch. We recommend the position should be held for 30-45 s, three times before and three times after eccentric exercises during each treatment session with a 30 s rest interval between each procedure. The treatment region of static stretching exercises when a supervised exercise programme is performed is unknown.

DISCUSSION

A well designed trial is needed to study the effectiveness of a supervised exercise programme for LET consisting of eccentric and static stretching exercises. The issues relating to the supervised exercise programme should be defined so that therapists can replicate the programme.

The effect of a balance training programme on centre of pressure excursion in one-leg stance

BACKGROUND

Balance training is widely used in the rehabilitation after an ankle sprain and is thought to have a decreasing effect on postural sway. The present study investigated whether a 5.5-week balance training programme leads to a decreased postural sway showing in a reduced range of centre of pressure excursion.

METHODS

Thirty university students participated in this study. Twenty-two untrained subjects were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n=11) or a control group (n=11). The remaining eight subjects were participants in an organized volleyball competition and were assigned to an additional volleyball group (n=8). All subjects of the intervention group and the volleyball group received a 5.5-week balance training programme, while subjects of the control group received no training. Centre of pressure of the ground reaction force was measured as a proxy measure of postural sway, using a force platform. Measurements took place before and after the 5.5-week training programme for standing on one leg (both for right and for left leg) of single leg stance, both for the eyes-open and eyes-closed situation. From these measurements centre of pressure excursion in the anterior-posterior and the medial-lateral direction was calculated. A linear regression analysis was performed to check for differences in centre of pressure excursion between any of the groups over the training period.

FINDINGS

No differences in changes of centre of pressure excursion were found between any of the groups over the 5.5-week training period.

INTERPRETATION

Balance training does not lead to a reduction in centre of pressure excursion in a general population consisting of non-injured and previously injured subjects.

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in the athlete

Though athletes may be able to return to their sport after treatment of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, prevention of back injury in at-risk patient athletes should be the treating physician's primary goal.

[Shock wave treatment for tennis elbow]

Randomized controlled trials were evaluated to assess the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave treatment in the management of tennis elbow. Five trials had a mediocre methodology and four trials had a high-quality design. Well-designed randomized control trials have provided evidence of the effectiveness of shock wave intervention for tennis elbow.

Shock wave therapy for lateral elbow pain

BACKGROUND

This review is one in a series of reviews of interventions for lateral elbow pain.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for lateral elbow pain.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Searches of the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2004), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Science Citation Index (SCISEARCH) were conducted in February 2005, unrestricted by date.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included nine trials that randomised 1006 participants to ESWT or placebo and one trial that randomised 93 participants to ESWT or steroid injection.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

For each trial two independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality and extracted data. Methodological quality criteria included appropriate randomisation, allocation concealment, blinding, number lost to follow up and intention to treat analysis. Where appropriate, pooled analyses were performed. If there was significant heterogeneity between studies or the data reported did not allow statistical pooling, individual trial results were described in the text.

MAIN RESULTS

Eleven of the 13 pooled analyses found no significant benefit of ESWT over placebo. For example, the weighted mean difference for improvement in pain (on a 100-point scale) from baseline to 4-6 weeks from a pooled analysis of three trials (446 participants) was -9.42 (95% CI -20.70 to 1.86) and the weighted mean difference for improvement in pain (on a 100-point scale) provoked by resisted wrist extension (Thomsen test) from baseline to 12 weeks from a pooled analysis of three trials (455 participants) was -9.04 (95% CI -19.37 to 1.28). Two pooled results favoured ESWT. For example, the pooled relative risk of treatment success (at least 50% improvement in pain with resisted wrist extension at 12 weeks) for ESWT in comparison to placebo from a pooled analysis of two trials (192 participants) was 2.2 (95% CI 1.55 to 3.12). However this finding was not supported by the results of four other individual trials that were unable to be pooled. Steroid injection was more effective than ESWT at 3 months after the end of treatment assessed by a reduction of pain of 50% from baseline (21/25 (84%) versus 29/48 (60%), p<0.05). Minimal adverse effects of ESWT were reported. Most commonly these were transient pain, reddening of the skin and nausea and in most cases did not require treatment discontinuation or dosage adjustment.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Based upon systematic review of nine placebo-controlled trials involving 1006 participants, there is "Platinum" level evidence that shock wave therapy provides little or no benefit in terms of pain and function in lateral elbow pain. There is "Silver" level evidence based upon one trial involving 93 participants that steroid injection may be more effective than ESWT.

Low-dose extracorporeal shock wave therapy for previously untreated lateral epicondylitis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in the treatment of previously untreated lateral epicondylitis.

DESIGN

Randomized double-blind (patient and outcome assessor) controlled trial with power to show a clinically important difference in success rate between groups at the 0.05 level. Block randomization was stratified by unilateral or bilateral epicondylitis.

SETTING

Community study at the University of Calgary.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were recruited by poster advertisements in physicians' offices, fitness and sports centers, and postsecondary education institutions, and by e-mail to faculty and staff at those institutions. Inclusion criteria were tenderness over the lateral epicondyle and common extensor origin tendons that worsened with resisted wrist extension and hand grip and with elbow extension, forearm pronation, and wrist palmar flexion; presence of lateral epicondylitis for > or =3 weeks and <1 year; willingness to discontinue bracing; and age > or =18 years. Participants (mean age, 46 years; mean duration of symptoms, 21 weeks; 62% men) were informed that the purpose of the study was to compare 2 different treatment protocols.

INTERVENTION

After telephone screening eligible persons were examined by 1 physician. All 60 participants were taught a single forearm extensor stretch (4 repetitions held for 20 seconds, 4 times per day). Persons in the active ESWT were assigned to 3 treatments, 1 per week for 3 weeks. In each session, 2000 pulses of 0.03 to 0.17 mJ/mm2, depending on the participant's pain tolerance, were administered. The sham treatment group was administered the lowest dose buffered by an air pad, on the same schedule.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome measure was treatment success or failure. Success was defined as > or =50% relief of pain overall from baseline, measured on a 10-cm visual analogue scale, with a maximum pain score of 4.0 cm, and no use of pain medication for lateral epicondylitis for 2 weeks before the 8-week evaluation. Bilaterally affected patients had to fulfill the success criteria for both arms. Change in quality of life and pain-free grip strength were also evaluated. Analysis was by intention to treat, including 4 patients (7%) lost to follow-up.

MAIN RESULTS

The proportions of treatment successes in the sham ESWT and the active ESWT were 31% and 39% (P = 0.533). Mean differences pretreatment to posttreatment in median overall pain scores for the more painful elbow were a reduction of 0.9 cm (SD, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.1-1.8) for the sham ESWT group compared with a reduction of 1.5 cm (SD, 0.5; CI, 0.5-2.4) for the active treatment group. Changes in pain-free grip strength and minimal changes for both groups in quality of life did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-dose ESWT did not have a clinically important effect in reducing pain, improving quality of life, or increasing pain-free grip strength in middle-aged patients with previously untreated unilateral or bilateral lateral epicondylitis.

Treatment of a Case of Subacute Lumbar Compartment Syndrome Using the Graston Technique

OBJECTIVE

To discuss subacute lumbar compartment syndrome and its treatment using a soft tissue mobilization technique.

CLINICAL FEATURES

A patient presented with low back pain related to exercise combined with prolonged flexion posture. The symptoms were relieved with rest and lumbar extension. The patient had restrictive lumbar fascia in flexion and rotation and no neurological deficits.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME

The restrictive lumbar posterior fascial layers and adjoining restrictive fascia (thoracic, gluteal, hamstring) were treated with a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization called the Graston technique. Restoration of fascial extensibility and resolution of the complaint occurred after 6 treatment visits.

CONCLUSIONS

The posterior spinal fascial compartments may be responsible for intermittent lower back pain. Functional clinical tests can be employed to determine whether the involved fascia is abnormally restrictive. Treatment directed at the restrictive fascia using this soft tissue technique may result in improved fascial functional testing and reduction of symptoms.

Psychometric properties of a Swedish translation of the VISA-P outcome score for patellar tendinopathy

BACKGROUND

Self-administrated patient outcome scores are increasingly recommended for evaluation of primary outcome in clinical studies. The VISA-P score, developed at the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment in Melbourne, Australia, is a questionnaire developed for patients with patellar tendinopathy and the patients assess severity of symptoms, function and ability to participate in sport. The aim of this study was to translate the questionnaire into Swedish and to study the reliability and validity of the translated questionnaire and resultant scores.

METHODS

The questionnaire was translated into Swedish according to internationally recommended guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures. The reliability and validity were tested in three different populations. The populations used were healthy students (n = 17), members of the Swedish male national basketball team (n = 17), considered as a population at risk, and a group of non-surgically treated patients (n = 17) with clinically diagnosed patellar tendinopathy. The questionnaire was completed by 51 subjects altogether.

RESULTS

The translated VISA-P questionnaire showed very good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.97).The mean (+/- SD) of the VISA-P score, at both the first and second test occasions was highest in the healthy student group 83 (+/- 13) and 81 (+/- 15), respectively. The score of the basketball players was 79 (+/- 24) and 80 (+/- 23), while the patient group scored significantly (p < 0.05) lower, 48 (+/- 20) and 52 (+/- 19).

CONCLUSIONS

The translated version of the VISA-P questionnaire was linguistically and culturally equivalent to the original version. The translated score showed good reliability.