Manipulative Therapy for Lower Extremity Conditions: Expansion of Literature Review

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.09.013Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review on manipulative therapy for lower extremity conditions and expand on a previously published literature review.

Methods

The Scientific Commission of the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters (CCGPP) was charged with developing literature syntheses, organized by anatomical region, to evaluate and report on the evidence base for chiropractic care. This article is the outcome of this charge. As part of the CCGPP process, preliminary drafts of these articles were posted on the CCGPP Web site www.ccgpp.org (2006-8) to allow for an open process and the broadest possible mechanism for stakeholder input. The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature; PubMed; Manual, Alternative, and Natural Therapy Index System; Science Direct; and Index to Chiropractic Literature were searched from December 2006 to February 2008. Search terms included chiropractic, osteopathic, orthopedic, or physical therapy and MeSH terms for each region. Inclusion criteria required a diagnosis and manipulative therapy (mobilization and manipulation grades I-V) with or without adjunctive care. Exclusion criteria were pain referred from spinal sites (without diagnosis), referral for surgery, and conditions contraindicated for manipulative therapy. Clinical trials were assessed using a modified Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network ranking system.

Results

Of the total 389 citations captured, 39 were determined to be relevant. There is a level of C or limited evidence for manipulative therapy combined with multimodal or exercise therapy for hip osteoarthritis. There is a level of B or fair evidence for manipulative therapy of the knee and/or full kinetic chain, and of the ankle and/or foot, combined with multimodal or exercise therapy for knee osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and ankle inversion sprain. There is also a level of C or limited evidence for manipulative therapy of the ankle and/or foot combined with multimodal or exercise therapy for plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, and hallux limitus/rigidus. There is also a level of I or insufficient evidence for manipulative therapy of the ankle and/or foot combined with multimodal or exercise therapy for hallux abducto valgus.

Conclusions

There are a growing number of peer-reviewed studies of manipulative therapy for lower extremity disorders.

Section snippets

Methods

In conjunction with the CCGPP and with input from included authors, an expanded update of the Hoskins et al1 2006 review was undertaken with a search of the literature conducted using the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature; PubMed; Manual, Alternative, and Natural Therapy Index System; Science Direct; and Index to Chiropractic Literature from December 2006 to February 2008. Limits were set to English language, with abstract, and human studies. Search terms including

Results

Of 389 citations identified, 39 were determined to be relevant and supplementary to the clinical or controlled trials previously found by Hoskins et al. Of the 39 studies, 8 pertained to conditions effecting the knee; 1, the hip; 7, the ankle; and 2, the foot. These studies were assessed. The case series and studies previously incorporated in 2006 have not been cited in this investigation; therefore, readers are referred to that review. However, 13 case series and studies excluded and/or not

Discussion

This literature review revealed new, recent, and previously noncited (secondary to limitations previously discussed) publications regarding manipulative treatment, for the most part with, but also without, adjunctive therapy (frequently exercise and/or rehabilitation and soft-tissue therapy, secondarily, in conjunction with modalities, NSAIDS, etc) for lower extremity conditions. There is an increase of limited and fair evidence for use of manipulative therapy in the treatment of a number of

Conclusion

There is a growing number of peer-reviewed, published studies of manipulative therapy for lower extremity disorders. Larger, methodologically improved, and well-funded randomized controlled and clinical trials, as well as observational, clinical, and basic science research, case series, and studies, are both needed and merited. Interdisciplinary collaboration should be encouraged and supported as well. Finally, the basic overarching model of similarity of indications for and beneficial

Acknowledgment

There were no declared conflicts of interest. Authors, independent reviewers, and panelists participated without compensation from any source, company, or organization. Cleveland Chiropractic College made an in-kind contribution to this systematic review by allowing Drs Brantingham and Globe and Ms Hicks to devote a portion of their work time to this project.

References (111)

  • SuterE et al.

    Decrease in quadriceps inhibition after sacroiliac joint manipulation in patients with anterior knee pain

    J Manipulative Physiol Ther

    (1999)
  • PellowJE et al.

    The efficacy of adjusting the ankle in the treatment of subacute and chronic grade I and grade II ankle inversion sprains

    J Manipulative Physiol Ther

    (2001)
  • CollinsN et al.

    The initial effects of a Mulligan's mobilization with movement technique on dorsiflexion and pain in subacute ankle sprains

    Man Ther

    (2004)
  • Lopez-RodriguezS et al.

    Immediate effects of manipulation of the talocrural joint on stabilometry and baropodometry in patients with ankle sprain

    J Manipulative Physiol Ther

    (2007)
  • BrantinghamJ et al.

    The effect of chiropractic adjusting, exercises and modalities on a 32-year old professional male golfer with hallux rigidus: a case report

    Clin Chiropr

    (2007)
  • BrantinghamJ et al.

    A pilot study of the efficacy of a conservative chiropractic protocol using graded mobilization, manipulation and ice in the treatment of symptomatic hallux abductovalgus bunions

    Clin Chiropr

    (2005)
  • BronfortG et al.

    Evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain with spinal manipulation and mobilization

    Spine

    (2008)
  • Peterson D, Bergmann T. Chiropractic technique: principles and procedures. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby; 2002. p....
  • ChristensenM et al.
  • NelsonC et al.

    Chiropractic as spine care: a model for the profession

    Chiropr Osteopat

    (2005)
  • FinnAM et al.

    A survey of the work practices of physiotherapists in the community

    Ir J Med Sci

    (1994)
  • CherkinDC et al.

    Acupuncture and knee osteoarthritis

    Ann Intern Med

    (2005)
  • BrantinghamJW et al.

    Old Dad Chiro and extravertebral manipulation

    Chiropr Hist

    (1992)
  • WardwellW
  • KeatingJ et al.

    A brief history of manipulative foot care in America

    Chiropr Techn

    (1992)
  • BarnesP et al.

    Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults: United States, 2002

    Adv Data

    (2004)
  • PollardH et al.

    Australian chiropractic sports medicine: half way there or living on a prayer?

    Chiropr Osteopat

    (2007)
  • MetzRD et al.

    Chiropractic care: is it substitution care or add-on care in corporate medical plans?

    J Occup Environ Med

    (2004)
  • Brantingham J. Foundational studies in manipulative therapy for lower extremity neuromusculoskeletal disorders [PhD...
  • CherkinD et al.

    Characteristics of visits to licensed acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists, and naturopathic physicians

    J Am Board Fam Pract

    (2002)
  • HoeksmaHL et al.

    Comparison of manual therapy and exercise therapy in osteoarthritis of the hip: a randomized clinical trial

    Arthritis Rheum

    (2004)
  • van BaarME et al.

    The effectiveness of exercise therapy in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee: a randomized clinical trial

    J Rheumatol

    (1998)
  • Palmer B, Palmer D. The science of chiropractic. Davenport: Palmer School of Chiropractic; 1906. p. 14,...
  • PalmerD
  • VauxP

    Hip osteoarthritis: a chiropractic approach

    Eur J Chiropr

    (1998)
  • BrantinghamJ et al.

    A controlled, prospective pilot study into the possible effects of chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip

    Eur J Chiropr

    (2003)
  • BrantinghamJ et al.

    Did osteopathy ‘borrow’ the chiropractic short lever adjustment (the core of all modern manipulation techniques) without giving Palmer credit?

    Chiro Hist

    (1997)
  • CyriaxJ
  • GrieveG
  • MoseleyJ et al.

    A controlled trial of arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee

    N Engl J Med

    (2002)
  • LaurettiW

    Comparative safety of chiropractic

  • McGettiganP et al.

    Cardiovascular risk and inhibition of cyclooxygenase: a systematic review of the observational studies of selective and nonselective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase 2

    JAMA

    (2006)
  • BennellKL et al.

    Efficacy of physiotherapy management of knee joint osteoarthritis: a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial

    Ann Rheum Dis

    (2005)
  • Guler-UysalF et al.

    Comparison of the early response to two methods of rehabilitation in adhesive capsulitis

    Swiss Med Wkly

    (2004)
  • EisenhartAW et al.

    Osteopathic manipulative treatment in the emergency department for patients with acute ankle injuries

    J Am Osteopath Assoc

    (2003)
  • CyriaxJ
  • BergmannT et al.
  • Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network

    A guideline developers' handbook

    (2001)
  • HarbourR et al.

    A new system for grading recommendations in evidence based guidelines

    Br Med J

    (2001)
  • LiddleJ et al.

    Method for evaluating research and guideline evidence (MERGE)

    (1996)

    • Cited by (0)

    View full text
    Copyright © 2009 National University of Health Sciences. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.