Joint Mobilization is a technique used to increase the range of motion of an injured limb. It is also used to align the articulating surfaces of a joint and to reduce joint play.
To understand the concept of joint mobilization, it is important to understand the types of movements a joint can perform. The first types are called physiological movements such as flexion, extension, abduction and adduction. The second type of movements, which is the principle on which joint mobilization is based, are accessory movements such as spins, rolls, and glides. Here are their definitions:
The key principle of joint mobilization is known as the concave-convex rule. The rule states: If a concave surface is moving on a convex surface, then the glide will occur in the same direction as the roll. If a convex surface is moving on a concave, then the glide is in the opposite direction of the roll.
Joint mobilization of the patella to increase ROM after ACL reconstructive surgery.
For example, let's talk about the knee. The femur is a convex surface and the tibial plateau is a concave surface. If you are moving the tibia and the femur is fixed, then the role and glide are in the same direction. If you are moving the femur and the tibia is fixed, the glide will in the opposite direction of the roll.
Some guidelines when performing joint mobilization: