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

Plain-language 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.

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