← Back to Search

Procedure

Ankle Mobilization for Achilles Tendon Pain

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Scott W Lowe

Research Sponsored by Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Individuals who self-report pain in the back of the heel (Achilles tendon) persisting for at least 3 months.

Be older than 18 years old

Must not have

History of any surgery distal to the fibular head on the involved lower extremity

Age under 18 years of age

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up baseline and 1 hour

Summary

This trial is testing how manual physical therapy can affect the sensation of pain in the Achilles tendon. It involves testing the sensation with heat/cold and 1-3 repetitions of ankle joint manipulation.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for adults with heel pain in the Achilles tendon lasting over 3 months, confirmed by a clinical screen. It's not for those who've had lower extremity surgery, recent cortisone injections in the tendon, diagnosed ankle instability, are pregnant, under 18 or can't consent.

What is being tested?

The study tests how manual therapy affects Achilles tendon pain. Participants will undergo heat/cold discomfort testing before and after receiving ankle mobilization—a quick stretch by a therapist—to see if there's any change in their pain sensation.

What are the potential side effects?

While the treatment is considered very safe, participants may experience brief discomfort from the heat/cold test on their skin and slight soreness or tenderness at the site of mobilization.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Select...

I have had pain in the back of my heel for at least 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

Select...

I have had surgery below the knee on the affected leg.

Select...

I am under 18 years old.

Select...

I have been diagnosed with unstable ankles or connective tissue.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ baseline and 1 hour

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~baseline and 1 hour

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline and 1 hour for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Heat and Cold Thresholds

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Placebo Group

Group I: InterventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Subjects assigned to the intervention group will then receive a talocrural joint high velocity, low amplitude thrush mobilization/manipulation. Standardized technique for this procedure involves the subject long-sitting with their back supported on the treatment table. The provider will then passively dorsiflex and evert the ankle to the point at which a joint tension end-feel is obtained. A small amplitude of movement is rapidly provided by the provider in a caudal direction. The provider may attempt up to three treatment thrust impulses, or until an audible cavitation is heard, indicating joint movement. Even without an audible cavitation, no more than three impulses will be provided. Some research in other body regions indicates that treatment effect is present even in those with whom audible joint cavitation is not noted.

Group II: ControlPlacebo Group1 Intervention

Subjects in the control group will receive 1 minute of passive ankle movement into ankle dorsiflexion. The researcher will not move the subjects ankle into a point where tissue stretch/tension is perceived. This will serve as an appropriate sham treatment since it still involves the subjects perception of treatment and includes the hands-on element of manual therapy, without the use of any tissue intervention which would theoretically effect change.

0 / 4Eligibility criteria met