['Investigate whether ankle joint mobilization (AJM) decreases hypersensitivity in the mouse plantar incision (PI) model of postoperative pain as well as to analyze the possible mechanisms involved in this effect.', 'Experiment 1: PI male Swiss mice (25-35 g, N = eight animals per group) were subjected to five sessions of AJM, each lasting either 9 or 3 minutes. AJM movement was applied at a grade III as defined by Maitland. Paw withdrawal frequency to mechanical stimuli was assessed before realization of PI and before and after daily AJM sessions. Mechanical hypersensitivity was also assessed following systemic (intraperitoneal [i.p.]) and local (intraplantar) injection of naloxone (a nonselective opioid receptor antagonist; 1 mg/kg, i.p.; 5 µg/paw, respectively, experiment 2); and systemic injection of fucoidin (100 µg/mouse, i.p., an inhibitor of leukocyte rolling, experiment 3) in different groups of mice.', 'Nine but not 3 minutes of AJM reduced mechanical hypersensitivity caused by PI, an effect that was prevented by systemic and local administrations of naloxone but not by fucoidin.'] Does ankle joint mobilization decrease hypersensitivity by activation of peripheral opioid receptors in a mouse model of postoperative pain?