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Manual Therapy for the Hip, Knee, and Lower Leg Complex
Clinical Application Worksheet
Instructions:
Impairment/limitation is provided.
Select 3 varying manual interventions (mobs, STM, stretching, MWM, PNF, etc.) that would be most
appropriate to address the impairment or functional limitation.
o Prescribe manual interventions not only from this course but also techniques learned in PTH646 or during
your clinical experience.
o Must provide a VARIETY of techniques/ideologies (Don’t use all Maitland mobs in one impairment)
Provide intent and details/dosage for chosen techniques.
o Intent = to create change within a particular structure (joint capsule, connective tissue, soft tissue, neural
tissues) that will contribute to reducing/eliminating the dysfunction/impairment. (e.g. applying a sustained
inferior glide to the GH joint during active shoulder abduction allows for improved clearance of greater
tuberosity under acromion.)
o Details/Dosage = rate/rhythm, amplitude, relationship to barrier, frequency/duration, reps/sets as it relates to
the general purpose (e.g. joint decompression, reduce pain, improve mobility) and based on the
methodology/school of thought (e.g.. Maitland, Kaltenborn, Mulligan, etc.). Link the joint mobilization
grading descriptions to this.
Practice hands-on techniques with your partner.
Scoring: .25 pts. per item (technique = .25, intent for technique = .25, dosage/details = .25, multiplied x 3 for
each impairment/limitation).
Hip
1. Decreased FABER
Technique Intent Dosage/Details
1. SCS: Hamstrings By applying a SCS to the Pt position: Prone
lateral hamstrings, this will
allow for the muscle tissue to PT position: Standing on involved side; find TP (proximal to knee
gain extensibility. Placing the joint) on lateral hamstrings (BF)
muscle in its most shortened
position and finding a POC Action: Maintain contact over TP, flex knee to 100o and apply
before applying a sustained tibial ER w/2-5 lb. overpressure to target BF. Find the POC
hold will aid in reducing the
restrictions around the joint. Dosage: Hold position for 90 seconds. Reposition as needed and
With increased muscle tissue repeat 2-3 times if necessary or until there is a change in
extensibility of the lateral symptoms/release of TP.
hamstrings, there will be
improved flexion and ER
ROM.
2. Isometric MET: The hip internal rotators will Pt position: Prone
Hip ER be utilizing an autogenic
Limitations inhibition technique to PT position: Standing on involved side, flex involved knee to 90o
(antagonist = hip improve hip ER ROM. The and place pt. to their end-range barrier into ER.
internal rotators) hip will progress towards a
new barrier for hip ER, while Action: Apply light-moderate pressure at the end-range barrier
the hip internal rotators will into hip ER while the patient performs an isometric contraction to
be working against resistance resist (pushing into hip IR), working the hip internal rotators.
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(performing an isometric Dosage: Hold the isometric contraction for 3-5 seconds. Reassess
contraction). Activating the hip ER AROM and move into the new barrier after each rep.
hip internal rotators will Perform this technique for 3-5 reps.
inhibit the external rotators,
allowing the hip to go into
greater ER ROM since there
will be increased flexibility
and extensibility of the hip
internal rotators.
3. Hip Traction By applying a sustained Pt position: Supine w/distal thigh resting on small bolster. Hip in
(Distal Glide) traction of the proximal its OPP (30o Flex, 30o ABD, slight ER). Ask pt. to hold on to table
(Kaltenborn femur from the acetabulum, for more stabilization.
Grade III) this will allow for greater
mobility in the hip by PT position: Standing at the EOB, hold distal lower leg OR hold
increasing space in the joint above the knee.
capsule. Moving past the TZ
range into a stretch zone will Action: Shift body weight back, arms fully extended. Apply
allow for a stretch to be sustained traction of the proximal femur moving away from the
placed on the joint capsule acetabulum.
and surrounding tissues,
increasing muscle tissue Dosage: Kaltenborn Grade III: stretching, moving past the TZ
extensibility in the hip joint, range into stretch zone. Hold for 7 seconds and repeat for 10 reps
and improving mobility. total. After ~5 reps are performed, assess hip FABER ROM, and
then perform another 7 second sustained hold with 5 more reps,
followed by another reassessment of hip FABER ROM.
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Rotators: Pin and internal rotators, this will PT position: Standing on involved side, flex pt.’s knee to 90o.
Stretch allow for the tense tissue to With the other hand, use finger pads to sink down into the tender
break up and have greater internal rotator muscle tissues.
extensibility. Slowly moving
the hip into the barrier (ER) Action: One hand applies direct pressure (pin down) to the tender
will allow the muscle tissue point of the IR muscle bellies and the other hand lengthens the
to lengthen and create more tissue towards the barrier by moving the hip into ER.
flexibility and less tension in
the surrounding muscle Dosage: Hold direct pressure while slowly moving into the
tissues. barrier/pt. comfort for 8-15 reps and reassess tissue quality.
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2 sets, and 1-5 reps.
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Dosage: Maitland Grade III: large amplitude, taken to 50% R1-R2
(into the barrier); perform anterior glide oscillations for 30 seconds, 1-
2 sets, and 1-5 reps.
3. MWM: NWB Providing a counteracting Pt position: Supine w/legs fully extended and towel or bolster beneath
Flexion and stabilizing force on the distal calf
Extension (supine) femur and proximal tibia allows
for a pain-free improved ROM PT position: Standing on involved side, place one hand on the distal
during knee extension/flexion lateral femur and the other on the proximal tibia.
since they are working together
to reposition the joint back to Action: Have the patient actively flex/extend their knee (perform heel
its anatomical position. With slides). Apply a medially-directed force on the distal femur and a
this, prior knee function should laterally-directed force on the proximal tibia.
be restored with no pain.
Dosage: After the patient reports pain-free movement with the
stabilization, have the patient actively move through knee
flexion/extension for 5-10 reps while applying the stabilizing force.
3. Patellofemoral restrictions
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Inferior/Distal motions with an inferior/distal
Glide of patella on glide of the patella on the distal PT position: Standing on involved side, stabilize distal femur or use
the distal femur femur, it will allow for the table to stabilize (depending on amount of knee flexion); w/the other
(Maitland Grade quadriceps tendon to have less hand, grip patella w/heel of your hand, placing forearm parallel to
IV) tension and increased and next to the distal thigh.
extensibility. Prior to the
inferior/distal glide, perform a Action: Apply sight traction, followed by an oscillatory (2-3
slight traction force to distract oscillations per second) inferior/distal glide of the patella on the
the patella from the distal distal femur.
femur. With the increase of
tissue extensibility of the quad Dosage: Traction: Grade Maitland Grade I: small amplitude,
tendon, the patella will be able stopping short of R1; perform traction force (picking up and moving
to freely move with increased patella away from distal femur) for 15-30 seconds, 1 rep.
mobility during knee Oscillatory Glide: Maitland Grade IV: small amplitude, taken into
movements. and through 50% R1-R2; perform inferior/distal glide oscillations for
30 seconds, 1-2 sets, and 1-5 reps.
2. Patellofemoral Jt. Providing an oscillatory force Pt position: Supine with knee in its OPP (full extension).
Mob on the proximal patellar border
(Inferior/Distal while moving the knee into PT position: Standing on involved side, apply a “pin” to the proximal
Glide Maitland flexion/extension allows for a patellar border. The moving hand is placed on the distal tibia.
Grade IV) + pain-free improved ROM since
Passive Release they are working together to Action: Apply oscillatory (2-3 oscillations per second) inferior/distal
reposition the patella back to its glide of the patella on the distal femur while the mobilizing hand
anatomical position. With this, moves the tibia into knee flexion and extension.
prior knee function should be
restored with no pain. Dosage: Maitland Grade IV: small amplitude, taken into and through
50% R1-R2; perform inferior/distal glide oscillations for 30 seconds,
1-2 sets, and 1-5 reps.
3. MET: Knee Refer to question 2.1 Refer to question 2.1
Flexion Isometric
Contraction
(antagonist =
quads)
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knee/ankle mobility. This (2-3 oscillations per second) to the barrier) and apply HVLAT
will allow for the fibular posteromedially on the fibular head beyond R2.
head to properly be placed
back into the proximal Dosage: Maitland Grade V: small amplitude, high velocity at R2 and
tibiofibular joint capsule beyond; once the barrier is reached, apply a high-velocity low amplitude
and correctly articulate thrust through the barrier. Perform once and reassess knee/ankle mobility
with the proximal tibia. and pain.
3. Anterior Tibial Apply a sustained anterior Pt position: Prone w/lower leg off EOB. Knee needs to be in OPP (slight
Glide w/Focus glide of the proximal tibia flexion).
on Medial on the distal femur with a
Compartment focus on the medial PT position: Standing at EOB on involved side, supporting the proximal and
(Kaltenborn compartment of tibia. If the distal tibia. Pt.’s thigh is stabilized against the table. Grip the medial side of
Grade II) pain intensifies due to the the tibia w/the moving hand (or lateral if pain is too intensive).
tightening of collateral
ligaments, focus on Action: Medially rotate the tibia w/proximal and distal hands. Apply a
mobilizing the lateral sustained anterior glide of the tibia moving on the femur.
compartment to tighten the
cruciate ligaments. Once Dosage: Kaltenborn Grade II: distraction (tightening), moving w/in the SZ
pain relief is stated, range (and TZ when pain is relieved); perform sustained hold for 3-5
moving into the TZ will seconds and repeat for 10 reps total. After ~5 reps are performed, assess
allow for greater PROM of knee/ankle mobility and pain, and then perform another 3-5
extensibility of the tissues second sustained hold with 5 more reps, followed by another reassessment of
and take up the slack of the knee/ankle mobility and pain.
joint capsule. This will
assist in allowing for
improved pain-free
knee/ankle mobility.
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3. Tibial Traction Apply a sustained traction Pt position: Prone w/feet off EOB. Knee needs to be in OPP (slight flexion).
(Kaltenborn force of the tibia moving
Grade II) away from the femur. Once PT position: Standing at EOB facing pt. w/hands around lower leg proximal to
pain relief is stated, ankle. Stabilize distal thigh w/hand or belt.
moving into the TZ will
allow for greater Action: Apply a sustained traction force of the tibia moving away from the
extensibility of the tissues femur.
and take up the slack of the
joint capsule. This will Dosage: Kaltenborn Grade II: distraction (tightening), moving w/in the SZ
assist in allowing for range (and TZ when pain is relieved); perform sustained hold for 3-5 seconds
improved pain-free knee and repeat for 10 reps total. After ~5 reps are performed, assess PROM of
mobility. knee mobility and pain, and then perform another 3-5 second sustained hold
with 5 more reps, followed by another reassessment of knee mobility and pain.
BONUS (not required, but +2 point overall if all scenarios listed below are completed per the following instructions):
For each listed dysfunction above, consider a therapeutic exercise to correspond and build off your manual therapy
intervention. Must consider:
- purpose and dosing (dosing specific for joint or soft tissue extensibility to improve ROM, improving strength, or
increasing endurance)
- a potential progression and regression of your chosen exercise based on patient capabilities and symptoms. This might
mean considering additional causes or contributions to the dysfunction listed: (e.g., soft tissue extensibility or muscle
recruitment limitations contributing to ACJ pain and limitations with OH reaching). Be creative!!
1. Decreased FABER
a. Therapeutic exercise: clamshells (moving into hip Flexion, Abduction, and ER); pt. side lying w/knees bent
on top of each other (involved leg on top)
b. Purpose: to strengthen hip FABER muscles and improve hip flexion, abduction, and external rotation ROM
c. Dosing: perform 10-15 reps, repeat 2-3 sets; reassess FABER ROM b/w sets
d. Progression: add a Theraband around the distal thighs or ankle weight to the top leg to add a resistance
component
e. Regression: pt. short or long seated; externally rotate involved leg, then abduct to not have to work against
gravity
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d. Progression: Hip Flexor Stretch and Quad; pt. in a lunge position and bring up back leg to hold shin for a
greater quad stretch
e. Regression: Seated Hip Flexor Stretch; pt. seated on one side of the chair so one leg can extend back until
feeling a stretch in the quads.
5. Buttock pain
a. Therapeutic exercise: Piriformis Stretch; pt. supine w/knees in 90o flexion, crossing one leg over the other
(ankle over knee), pulling bent knee towards your chest so you feel a stretch in the buttock
b. Purpose: to stretch buttock muscles to help improve flexibility for no pain w/movement
c. Dosing: hold stretch for 30 seconds, 3 reps, 2-3 sets (switch legs b/w reps)
d. Progression: Bird Dog Stretch; pt. in quadruped, raising opposite arm and leg straight out (at shoulder
height); hold each side for 15 seconds and repeat.
e. Regression: Knee To Chest Stretch; pt. supine w/one leg bent in 90o hip and knee flexion, bringing it
towards the chest until feeling a stretch
8. Patellofemoral restrictions
a. Therapeutic exercise: Quad sets; pt. long seated or supine w/towel roll beneath involved knee, contracting
quads, press knee into the bed and hold for 5 seconds.
b. Purpose: to strengthen muscles surrounding the patellofemoral joint to take off the load; improving strength
will allow for decreased tension on the joint
c. Dosing: perform 10 reps, 2-3 sets
d. Progression: Straight leg raises (can add ankle weight if able) to work against gravity; pt. supine w/involved
leg fully extended and uninvolved leg in 90o knee flexion
e. Regression: quadriceps stretch; supine or standing to increase extensibility of quad muscle tissue; hold for 30
seconds, repeat 3 reps for 2-3 sets.
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a. Therapeutic exercise: butterfly stretch; pt. seated with legs in ER and feet together
b. Purpose: to loosen up tight inner thigh muscles and increase extensibility to allow for less pressure on the
medial joint line and improved mobility of the knee
c. Dosing: hold stretch for 30 seconds, 3 reps, 2-3 sets
d. Progression: standing lateral leg swings to target inner thigh muscles; perform 5-10 reps, reassess pain
w/mobility and repeat 2-3 sets.
e. Regression: perform one-sided butterfly stretch; ER involved leg, bringing heel to the midline of your body
and hold for 30 seconds.
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