The Thrust Technique of Tibiotarsal Joint on the Symptomatology of Pain at Classical Ballet Dancers

Summary

Classical ballet is a type of high performance dance that requires great effort and extreme joint positions by its dancers, not to mention a precise control of the ankle joint when on pointe position. Ballet dancers excessively dorsiflex, and especially plantar flex the ankle, which predisposes anterior displacement of the talus, possibly causing mobility restrictions of the tibiotarsal articulation and making it difficult and painful to move the ankle while dancing. The Thrust technique of tibiotarsal joint is a manipulation that aim to improve mobility and articular function through a high-speed and short-range movement. The purpose of the study is to verify the effect of the Thrust technique of tibiotarsal joint on the pain symptomatology in classical ballet dancers. Ballerinas included in the study presented pain in the ankle when dancing classical ballet, tenderness to palpation in the anterior and posterior tibiotarsal articulation, and dysfunction after compression of the tibiotarsal articulation. The sample consisted of 20 ballerinas, out of which 10 were subjected to manipulation (IG) and 10 formed the control group (CG). Algic symptomatology in classical ballet dance was assessed after some practice with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). After that, an algometer was used to quantify the threshold of pain in the anterior and posterior ankle joint that presented restrictions in mobility. The Tug technique was performed in the tibiotarsal articulation in the IG, and in the CG it was simulated. The threshold of pain in the anterior and posterior tibiotalar joint was measured again immediately after the intervention or simulation. The ballerinas were reassessed using algometry and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) one week after the manipulation.

Conditions

• Pain
• Osteopathia
• Ankle Injuries

Interventions

OTHER

Tibiotarsal Thrust Manipulation

The dancers were positioned in dorsal decubitus position with the heel outside the stretcher. The osteopath positioned in a lateral feint, inflected knees and forearms in the same plane as the participant's leg. With the internal hand slipped the pinky finger on the medial edge of the foot to the talus neck, the other fingers on the dorsum of the foot and the thumbs controlling the first metatarsus. The position of the talus in relation to the tibia was corrected, initially by placing the foot in eversion and then in dorsal flexion. The osteopath left the body weight behind, causing a traction in the joint. The thrust consisted of a impulse of high speed and low amplitude impulse in a caudal direction, closing the elbows20. The technique was performed until the obtainment (achieved) the joint noise only in the restricted foot, and only one service was performed. After one week, a reassessment of the painful sensation after the dance was performed.

OTHER

Simulation Tibiotarsal Thrust Manipulation

Simulation of the technique Tibiotarsal Thrust Manipulation, with the participants and the osteopath positioned in the same way as the IG, however there was no reproduction of joint noise.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidade Estadual do PiauÍ

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

15 Years

Max Age

15 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-06-10

Primary Completion

2017-10-01

Completion

2017-10-01

Countries

• Brazil

Study Locations