Fibular Glide Mobilization With Movement for the Treatment of Acute Lateral Ankle Sprains: A Critically Appraised Topic

Abstract

What are the effects of the Mulligan Concept™ posterior fibular mobilization with movement (MWM) on clinical outcomes in patients who sustain an acute lateral ankle sprain (LAS)? The evidence reviewed was level C–Recommendation based on “consensus, usual practice, opinion, disease-oriented evidence, or case series for studies of diagnosis, treatment, prevention or screening.” In the studies examined, patients who received Mulligan Concept™ posterior fibular mobilizations in combination with other treatments significantly improved (Minimal Clinically Important Difference met) on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Disablement of Physically Active (DPA) scale. All patients in the studies were discharged within 2-18 days. However, due to the low level of evidence and the use of traditional conservative treatments in conjunction with mobilization, it is difficult to ascertain whether the Mulligan LAS treatment aided recovery more than traditional methods of treating acute LAS. Therefore, Mulligan Concept™ posterior fibular MWM may be useful clinically in conjunction with traditional conservative treatments for reduction of pain, disability and discharge time for patients with acute LAS, but future research must be conducted to determine if MWMs offer any benefits above and beyond traditional methods of treatment.