A new dimension in the study of human functional joint instability

Wen Liu, Tarang Jain, Clayton Wauneka

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Functional joint instability is common after joint soft tissue injuries. We present in this report our pilot finding in a study of functional ankle instability. Although past studies have suggested multiple pathological factors for functional ankle instability, none of those factors has been confirmed in the past studies. More importantly, no known factor can provide an explanation for an ankle giving way phenomenon which is a key element in defining a functional ankle instability. In this pilot study, we tested five subjects with functional ankle instability using a dynamic ankle stretching device combined with nociceptive electrical stimulation. Three out of five subjects showed a drastic reaction in which they totally gave up their control of upright standing after their affected ankles were under the combined ankle stretch and nociceptive stimuli. Such drastic reaction was not observed in the same ankles under only the ankle stretch. There was no such drastic reaction in the unaffected ankle under either testing condition. This pilot finding indicates a possibility of a hyper-reactivity to unloading reaction in the ankles with functional ankle instability.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationApplied Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering III
Pages1271-1276
Number of pages6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes
Event2012 3rd International Conference on Applied Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering, ICAMME 2012 - Macau, China
Duration: Nov 14 2012Nov 15 2012

Publication series

NameApplied Mechanics and Materials
Volume249-250
ISSN (Print)1660-9336
ISSN (Electronic)1662-7482

Conference

Conference2012 3rd International Conference on Applied Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering, ICAMME 2012
Country/TerritoryChina
CityMacau
Period11/14/1211/15/12

Keywords

  • Ankle joint
  • Central nervous system
  • Functional instability
  • Hyper-reactivity
  • Unloading

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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