Weight-Bearing Ankle MWM
One question matters more than the name of this variation: will the patient notice a useful change in Weight-bearing lunge distance, squat depth and gait.? The careful re-test gets the final word.
The change we are looking for
Improve limited weight-bearing dorsiflexion when a sustained glide produces an immediate increase in lunge range.
Primary target
Talocrural joint
The movement that tells us
Weight-bearing lunge distance, squat depth and gait.
Patient focus
Improve limited weight-bearing dorsiflexion when a sustained glide produces an immediate increase in lunge range.
Therapist verifies
Weight-bearing lunge distance, squat depth and gait.
Success signal
Keep the technique only if the re-test shows a meaningful improvement in weight-bearing lunge distance, squat depth and gait. without symptom worsening.
Full clinical application
Position the patient
Half-kneeling or standing lunge with the heel fully down and foot pointing forward.
Set the contact
Stabilize the foot. Use a belt/manual contact to sustain an anterior tibial glide or posterior talar correction according to the trained setup.
Apply the technique
Maintain the glide while the patient actively drives the knee forward over the foot without heel lift.
Dose & re-test
6–10 pain-free repetitions × 2–3 sets. Re-test: Weight-bearing lunge distance, squat depth and gait.
Clinical pearl
If the heel lifts or the arch collapses, the apparent dorsiflexion gain may be compensation.
Safety / avoid
Avoid in acute unstable ankle injury or fracture.