Assessing Tissue Response to High-Velocity Thrust Manipulations on Capsule Length and Stiffness at the C5-C6 Facet Joint Capsule

This study is a quasi-experimental study collected quantitative data , with a pre-test-post-test design. Pre-intervention, baseline measurements of C5-C6 right facet joint length and width with the head of the treatment plinth downward at 45 and 90 degrees, (relative to the rest of the table) and stiffness at 90 degrees, were taken prior to applying the long-axis thrust manipulation. Post-intervention measures were taken immediately after a long axis thrust manipulation of C5-C6 and again at 24-hours after the manipulation. The baseline pre-intervention measures were then compared to the post-intervention measurements. The investigator performing the manipulation was blinded to the quantitative measurements of the ultrasound images. The ultrasound operator was blinded to the outcome of the manipulation.