Joint Mobilisation
Joint mobilisation refers to a therapeutic passive motion of a painful or dysfunctional peripheral or axial joint. Mobilisation under the Maitland system is classified into five grades of passive therapeutic motion. Grade V is the same as manipulation.
The different grades of mobilization are believed to produce selective activation of different mechanoreceptors in the joint:Template:PDFlink.
Grade I – small amplitude movement at the beginning of the available range of movement
Grade II – large amplitude movement at within the available range of movement
Grade III – large amplitude movement that moves into stiffness or muscle spasm
Grade IV – small amplitude movement stretching into stiffness or muscle spasm
Grade V – This is the same as joint manipulation.
Lower grades (I + II) are used to reduce pain and irritability (use VAS + SIN scores).
Higher grades(III + IV) are used to stretch the joint capsule and passive tissues which support and stabilise the joint so increase range of movement.
