What changes when Maitland Joint Mobilization meets the knee? Start with the patient's movement, assess safely, and see what the re-test reveals.
3 specific variationsClinical re-test built in
Specific variations
How this technique is applied in the knee
Each variation below is written so you can follow patient setup, contact, direction, dose and the re-test that decides whether the technique earned a place in the plan.
01
KneeTibia on femur
Posterior Tibial Glide for Knee Flexion
One question matters more than the name of this variation: will the patient notice a useful change in Knee flexion, squat and stair descent.? The careful re-test gets the final word.
The change we are looking for
Improve knee flexion when posterior tibial glide is restricted and the treatment changes the comparable sign.
Primary target
Tibia on femur
The movement that tells us
Knee flexion, squat and stair descent.
Patient focus
Improve knee flexion when posterior tibial glide is restricted and the treatment changes the comparable sign.
Therapist verifies
Knee flexion, squat and stair descent.
Success signal
Keep the technique only if the re-test shows a meaningful improvement in knee flexion, squat and stair descent. without symptom worsening.
Full clinical application
1
Position the patient
Supine with the knee flexed to a comfortable angle and the foot supported.
2
Set the contact
Stabilize the distal femur and use a broad contact over the proximal tibia, avoiding fibular-head nerve compression.
3
Apply the technique
Glide the tibia posteriorly on the femur with the selected oscillatory grade.
Match the glide to the motion you are trying to improve; for open-chain tibial flexion, the concave tibia glides posteriorly.
Safety / avoid
Avoid acute instability, fracture, DVT or uncleared postoperative restriction.
02
KneeTibia on femur
Anterior Tibial Glide for Knee Extension
One question matters more than the name of this variation: will the patient notice a useful change in Terminal knee extension, gait and step-down.? The careful re-test gets the final word.
The change we are looking for
Improve terminal extension when anterior tibial glide is clinically relevant.
Primary target
Tibia on femur
The movement that tells us
Terminal knee extension, gait and step-down.
Patient focus
Improve terminal extension when anterior tibial glide is clinically relevant.
Therapist verifies
Terminal knee extension, gait and step-down.
Success signal
Keep the technique only if the re-test shows a meaningful improvement in terminal knee extension, gait and step-down. without symptom worsening.
Full clinical application
1
Position the patient
Supine with the knee near extension and comfortably supported.
2
Set the contact
Stabilize the femur and contact the proximal posterior tibia broadly while protecting the popliteal region.
3
Apply the technique
Glide the tibia anteriorly relative to the femur with a low-to-moderate oscillatory grade.
Do not push directly into the popliteal fossa; use broad proximal-tibial control.
Safety / avoid
Avoid acute posterior knee pathology or vascular concerns.
03
KneePatellofemoral joint
Patellar Inferior Glide
One question matters more than the name of this variation: will the patient notice a useful change in Knee flexion and squat depth.? The careful re-test gets the final word.
The change we are looking for
Improve knee flexion when inferior patellar mobility is a relevant limiter.
Primary target
Patellofemoral joint
The movement that tells us
Knee flexion and squat depth.
Patient focus
Improve knee flexion when inferior patellar mobility is a relevant limiter.
Therapist verifies
Knee flexion and squat depth.
Success signal
Keep the technique only if the re-test shows a meaningful improvement in knee flexion and squat depth. without symptom worsening.
Full clinical application
1
Position the patient
Supine with the quadriceps relaxed and knee supported in slight flexion.
2
Set the contact
Use both thumbs or broad finger pads on the superior patellar border without compressing the tendon.
3
Apply the technique
Translate the patella inferiorly in a smooth oscillatory or sustained manner.
A relaxed quadriceps makes patellar mobility easier to assess and treat.
Safety / avoid
Respect recent surgery and acute patellofemoral irritation.
Safety / do not apply when…
Avoid with fracture, acute ligamentous instability, infection, DVT or immediately post-op without clearance.
Clinical rule
A technically correct technique is not automatically a useful technique. Keep it only when the patient's pain, range or function improves in a clinically meaningful way, then transfer that gain into active movement, loading or self-management.
