Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: Muscle Energy and HVLA Procedures - Fibular Head Dysfunction

Excerpt

Osteopathic medicine is a branch of medical training focusing on the mind, body, and spirit when treating patients. This training is based on the concept that the mind, body, and spirit are interconnected, and disruptions in these components can result in pain or other ailments. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a collection of manual manipulative techniques used to treat dysfunction in the body unit. The objectives of OMT include improving muscle and joint mobility, enhancing neuromuscular function, reducing pain, and restoring biochemical balance.

Somatic dysfunction refers to impaired function in the fundamental elements of the body, including the musculoskeletal, vascular, lymphatic, and central nervous (CNS) systems, as well as combinations of these systems in affected areas of dysfunction. Clinicians can utilize OMT techniques in areas of somatic dysfunction to assist the body in self-healing.

Fibular head somatic dysfunction can lead to knee and ankle pain and gait abnormalities. The fibula, a small bone situated laterally to the tibia in the distal lower extremity, contributes to the motion of both the knee and ankle joints. When the movement of the fibula is compromised, patients may experience discomfort in the knee or ankle, along with challenges in maintaining a normal gait.

Two commonly used OMT techniques for addressing fibular head somatic dysfunction include the muscle energy technique (MET) and the high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique.

METs are used to mobilize joints with restricted movement, strengthen weak muscles, stretch tight muscles and fascia, and enhance local circulation. MET is a direct and active technique that involves cooperation between the patient and the physician. During the procedure, the patient is instructed to contract the target muscle while the physician applies a counterforce to facilitate the movement. HVLA techniques involve applying a rapid, short force by the physician to engage a restrictive barrier in one or more planes. This thrust is administered within the anatomical range of motion that is restricted.