The effect of a regimen of casting and prolonged stretching on passive ankle dorsiflexion in traumatic head-injured adults

Abstract

The change in passive dorsiflexion movement associated with a regimen of casting and prolonged stretching was evaluated in 19 people who had sustained traumatic closed head injuries and had secondary calf muscle shortening. A below-knee cast was applied to stretch the soft tissues limiting dorsiflexion in 32 ankles for a period of 7 days. With the cast in place, the gastrocnemius muscle was further stretched by positioning the knee in extension for prolonged periods of time. A significant increase in passive ankle dorsiflexion was found. This finding suggests that a regime of casting and prolonged stretching is an effective method of correcting calf muscle shortening following traumatic head injury.