Study on the use of Static Progressive Stretch to treat post-traumatic ankle stiffness
A study was conducted with 26 patients with chronic ankle stiffness. Chronic ankle stiffness can develop for numerous reasons after traumatic injury, and may adversely affect gait, mobility, and function. Patients began using a JAS SPS Ankle orthotic on an average of 47 weeks post initial injury, with the established protocol of 1-3 30 minute sessions daily, until range of motion gains were considered to have plateaued.
On average, the treatments lasted 10 weeks and the patients studied gained 17˚ range of motion in their ankle, with no reports of skin problems or numbness.
The study outcomes suggest that using an SPS orthosis is effective for the treatment of chronic post-traumatic ankle stiffness that is refractory to standard physical therapy. The authors of the study urge practitioners to consider SPS earlier in the treatment course for optimal results.
