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Physiotherapy vocabulary · Manual Therapy and Hands-On Treatment

Joint mobilisation

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

nounCommon term

In physiotherapy, joint mobilisation means: A manual therapy technique in which the physiotherapist moves a joint slowly and repeatedly, within or towards the limit of its range, to reduce pain or stiffness.

In Turkish: eklem mobilizasyonu

How it is used

Often graded I to IV in the Maitland system: small, gentle movements for pain and larger movements into stiffness. Unlike manipulation, mobilisation is slow and the patient can stop it at any time. The US spelling is mobilization. On wards, 'mobilise' also means getting a patient up and moving.

Example sentences

  1. I'm going to use some joint mobilisation on your stiff ankle; tell me if it becomes painful.

  2. Grade III joint mobilisations were applied to the right knee.

Common collocations

  • apply joint mobilisation
  • grade III mobilisation
  • Maitland mobilisation
  • spinal mobilisation
  • manual therapyTreatment in which the physiotherapist uses their hands to move joints, apply pressure or work on muscles and other soft tissues.
  • manipulationA manual therapy technique in which a quick, small thrust is applied to a joint, often producing a popping or clicking sound.
  • end feelThe quality of resistance the physiotherapist feels at the very end of a joint's passive movement, described as hard, firm, soft or empty.
  • stiffnessA feeling that a joint or muscle is tight and hard to move, often worse after rest or first thing in the morning.

More terms: Manual Therapy and Hands-On Treatment

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