The immediate effects of mulligan taping on pain and weight distribution in lateral ankle instability: A case study

Abstract

Introduction: Lateral Ankle Instability has been one of the common causes of impairments in the lower extremity injury resulting from repetitive ankle sprains to the lateral ankle ligament complex. This may lead to pain and disturbed proprioception resulting in positional fault of articular surfaces, poor postural control and weight distribution. Physiotherapy thus aims in reducing the pain, realignment of the articular surfaces thereby improving postural control and weight on the affected ankle joint/s. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the immediate effects of Mulligan fibular repositioning ankle taping on the NPRS and Weight Distribution in a case of Lateral Ankle Instability. Method: A 20 year old female student, with left lateral ankle pain, had complains of chronic pain around the lateral malleolus since 2.5 months after playing basketball. The pain aggravated with squatting and forward lunges. The outcome measures were Numerical Pain Rating Scale that measured the pain intensity and percentage body weight distribution during squat as measured on Neurocom Balance Master System (version 9.1). A fibular posterolateral-superior tape as described by Mulligan was applied on an undertape and the outcome measures were again noted. Results: Pre treatment and Post treatment, pain reduced from 4/10 to 2/10 during squatting and forward lunge respectively. Also the Percentage of Body weight distributed on the left ankle improved immediately after the application of tape. Conclusion: Fibular repositioning tape as described by Mulligan not only reduces pain but also improves the weight falling on the affected ankle joint/s.