@article{18674,
  keywords = {Peer Reviewed Paper, Checked},
  author = {Herbert Rob and Nightingale E. and Evans T. and Robertson G. and Gupta S. and Penn J. and Taylor D. and Moseley A.},
  title = {Passive stretching does not enhance outcomes in patients with plantarflexion contracture after cast immobilization for ankle fracture: a randomized controlled trial},
  abstract = {<p>
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of short- and long-duration passive stretches with a control treatment for the management of plantarflexion contracture after cast immobilization for ankle fracture. DESIGN: Assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Hospital physical therapy outpatient departments. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with plantarflexion contracture (N=150) after cast immobilization for ankle fracture. All subjects were weight bearing or partial weight bearing. INTERVENTIONS: Exercise only, exercise plus short-duration passive stretch, and exercise plus long-duration passive stretch. All subjects had a 4-week course of exercises. In addition, subjects in the short-duration stretch plus exercise group completed 6 minutes of stretching per day, and subjects in the long-duration stretch plus exercise group completed 30 minutes of stretching per day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lower Extremity Functional Scale and passive dorsiflexion range of motion with the knee bent and straight at baseline, and at 4 weeks and 3 months postintervention. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-nine (93%) subjects completed the 4-week assessment and 134 (89%) subjects completed the 3-month assessment. There were no statistically significant or clinically important between-group differences for the primary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of passive stretching confers no benefit over exercise alone for the treatment of plantarflexion contracture after cast immobilization for ankle fracture.
</p>
},
  year = {2005},
  journal = {Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation},
  volume = {86},
  number = {6},
  pages = {1118-1126},
  month = {129505825075},
  note = {HERDC category C1},
  language = {eng},
}