Foot and Ankle Range of Motion (Stretching) Apparatus

University of Missouri (MU)

Status: Terminated

Conditions: Calcaneus Fractures; Plantar Fasciitis; Flatfoot

Treatments: Device: Non-Measuring Ankle Exerciser

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00527748

1092357

Details and patient eligibility

About

Range of motion at ankle joint and subtalar joint will be assessed before and after utilization of ARM device. The changes in range of motion will be recorded and compared to literature.

Full description

The purpose of this study is to assess how effective a new device is in increasing range of motion and reducing stiffness in the foot and ankle of patients with acquired flatfoot, patients with plantar fasciitis, and those suffering from stiffness after cast removal or other lengthy immobilization.

Project will utilize a physical therapist to measure range of motion and stiffness when patients are consented. Patients will be re-measured at six weeks following use of the device to assist in stretching ankle and foot muscles, and again at 10 weeks for final stiffness and range of motion assessment.

Enrollment: 26 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years of age or older
• stiffness in or about the ankle joint due to age, diabetes, trauma, flatfoot, plantar fasciitis, or immobilization

Exclusion criteria

• not physically able to use device
• patients with pain disorders
• patients lacking necessary hand-eye coordination
• patients using lower extremity external fixator
• patients with history of non-compliance

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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26 participants in 2 patient groups

Standard of care

No Intervention group

Description:

Patient ankle range of motion will be assessed at clinic visit. No stretching exercises with the device, but will be provided standard care through physiotherapist in acute cases, and no stretching exercises for chronic patients. Reassessment will be done at six weeks and 10 weeks.

Non-Measuring Ankle Exerciser

Experimental group

Description:

Subjects will train using only one combination of movement, dorsiflexion with inversion. This is done by manipulating the ring so that the medial and anterior ropes are taut. Subject will start with 3 minute warm-up. Subject will then manipulate the ring so that the foot moves into dorsiflexion with inversion until a point of tolerable discomfort is felt; subject will hold this position for 30 seconds. Stretch will be repeated 10 times, each day, for six weeks. Reassessment will be done at six weeks and 10 weeks.

Treatment:

Device: Non-Measuring Ankle Exerciser