In Vivo Kinematics of the Talocrural and Subtalar Joints With Functional Ankle Instability During Weight-Bearing Ankle Internal Rotation

Background. A semi-rigid brace or taping is often used to prevent giving-ways in the joint with chronic ankle instability (CAI). However, it remains unknown whether the application of a semi-rigid brace or taping modifies abnormal kinematics in CAI joints. The objective of this study was to determine if the application of a semi-rigid brace or taping of the ankle normalizes abnormal weight-bearing kinematics in CAI joints during ankle internal rotation in plantar flexion. Methods. A total of 14 male patients with unilateral CAI (mean age 21.1 ± 2.5 years) were enrolled. Three-dimensional bone models created from the computed tomography images were matched to the fluoroscopic images to compute the 6 degrees-of-freedom talocrural, subtalar, and ankle joint complex (AJC) kinematics for the healthy and contralateral CAI joints, as well as for CAI joints with a brace or taping. Selected outcome measures were talocrural anterior translation, talocrural internal rotation, and subtalar internal rotation. Results. There was no significant difference in talocrural anterior translation and internal rotation induced by applying either a semi-rigid brace or taping ( P > .05). For subtalar internal rotation, there was a tendency toward restoration of normal kinematics in CAI joints after applying a semi-rigid brace or taping. However, the difference was not significant ( P > .05). Discussion. Application of a semi-rigid brace or taping had limited effects on the CAI joint during weight-bearing ankle internal rotation in plantar flexion. Further studies using a variety of testing conditions should be conducted in the future. Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Cross-Sectional Case Series

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Examining the Use of Kinesiology Tape During Weight Bearing Exercises on Proprioception in Participants With Functional Ankle Instability

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.1177/00315125211036425 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 003151252110364

Author(s):

Fatemeh Binaei ◽

Rozita Hedayati ◽

Majid Mirmohammadkhani ◽

Cyrus Taghizadeh Delkhoush ◽

Rasool Bagheri

Keyword(s):

Ankle Instability ◽

Weight Bearing ◽

Control Groups ◽

Functional Ankle Instability ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Partial Form ◽

The Mean ◽

Kinesiology Tape ◽

And Control ◽

Controlled Clinical Study

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of tape worn during weight bearing exercises on proprioception (i.e., ankle angle repositioning error) in participants with functional ankle instability. We employed a randomized, controlled clinical study in a laboratory setting, with 56 participants with functional ankle instability. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: (a) weight bearing exercises without tape (n = 18), (b) weight bearing exercises with tape (n = 19) and controls not engaged in weight bearing exercises (n = 19). Weight bearing exercises included six weeks of bilateral squats in partial form with up to 45 degrees of knee flexion, and unilateral partial squats with full heel raise, and with full toe raise. In the taped condition, participants wore tape for six weeks with up to three tape replacements per week. Proprioception was measured as ankle repositioning error. Results showed that the mean angle repositioning error among participants in the active weight bearing groups was decreased by the taping intervention, relative to the control group’s performance ( p = 0.042). There were no significant differences between weight bearing exercise groups and control groups. The addition of kinesiology tape in weight bearing exercises can improve proprioception in active conditions.

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