College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

What type of joint mobilization should be performed to restore ankle dorsiflexion after cast removal?

1. Lateral glide of the talocrural joint

2. Anterior glide of the talocrural joint

3. Posterior glide of the talocrural joint

4. Medial glide of the talocrural joint

The correct answer is: Posterior glide of the talocrural joint

To restore ankle dorsiflexion after cast removal, performing a posterior glide of the talocrural joint is the appropriate choice. In the context of ankle mechanics, dorsiflexion is achieved when the tibia moves over the foot while the ankle joint allows the talus to glide backward or posteriorly within the joint. When the ankle is in a dorsiflexed position, the talus must move posteriorly relative to the tibia and fibula for optimal movement. If a joint has been immobilized, such as in a cast, the surrounding soft tissues and joint surfaces may become restricted, leading to limitations in movement. By applying a posterior glide, the therapist re-establishes optimal joint mechanics that facilitate easier and more effective dorsiflexion. The other types of glides, such as lateral, anterior, or medial, do not effectively support the specific motion needed to regain dorsiflexion. Each of these glides serves different purposes for optimizing other ranges of motion or joint alignments but would not adequately address the limitations posed by decreased dorsiflexion following immobilization. Thus, focusing on the posterior glide specifically targets the restoration of the desired movement.