The effect of pads on foot morphology in athletes with medial tibial stress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the effect of a pad on foot morphologies in patients with medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) requires more reliable and objective methods, rather than conventional subjective observations. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of pads on foot morphologies during quiet standing in athletes with MTSS. METHODS: We measured three-dimensional foot morphologies in 30 feet with MTSS and 40 healthy feet. RESULTS: The analysis showed that Hallux valgus degree, calcaneal angle, arch height, and arch height ratio differed significantly as a result of the pad support, compared to no pad support in the MTSS group. The pad support only resulted in significant differences in arch height, compared to no support in the control group. Furthermore, thumb side angle, calcaneal angle, and arch height ratio were significantly different between the MTSS and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study results suggest that changes in foot morphologies because of the use of a pad can be measured objectively in patients with MTSS.

Lower-leg Kinesio tape reduces rate of loading in participants with medial tibial stress syndrome.

CONTEXT: Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is an overuse injury occurring among the physically active. Linked to increased strain on the medial tendons of the ankle, studies emphasize controlling medial foot loading in the management of this condition. Kinesio taping (KT) has gained popularity for treating musculoskeletal pathologies; however, its effect on MTSS remains uninvestigated. This study aimed to determine if healthy participants and patients with current or previous history of MTSS differ in the rate of loading, and if KT affects plantar pressures in these participants. METHODS: Twenty healthy participants and 20 participants with current or previous history of MTSS were recruited and walked across a plantar pressure mat prior to KT application, immediately after application, and after 24-h of continued use. Time-to-peak force was measured in 6 foot areas and compared across groups and conditions. RESULTS: ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between group, condition, and foot area (F = 1.990, p = 0.033). MTSS participants presented with lower medial midfoot time-to-peak force before tape application (95%CI: 0.014-0.160%, p = 0.021) that significantly increased following tape application (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that KT decreases the rate of medial loading in MTSS patients. Future research might assess mechanisms by which this effect is achieved.

Medial tibial stress syndrome: case report.

INTRODUCTION: Although it can be difficult to differentiate pain in lower legs, it is important for clinicians to differentiate medial tibial stress syndrome, which is a rather benign condition, from acute compartment syndrome, which is an emergency, as well as from different types of stress fractures described in this region. The aim of this case report was to present medial tibial stress syndrome as a clinical diagnosis, possible dilemmas in differential diagnosis and the efficacy of rehabilitation treatment. CASE REPORT: A 25-year old male patient sought medical help complaining of the pain along the distal third of tibia. The pain was present on palpation of the distal two-thirds of the lateral and medial tibial border over the length of 9 cm and on muscle manual testing of foot flexors. The patient underwent physical and exercise treatment for three weeks. The recovery was monitored by visual analogue scale, which measured the lower leg pain, pain on palpation and manual muscle testing. In addition, the patient himself assessed his ability to resume sport activities on the 5-point Likert scale. The final evaluation and measurements showed his complete functional recovery. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this case show the importance of accurate clinical diagnosis and rehabilitation for medial tibial stress syndrome.

Risk factors and prognostic indicators for medial tibial stress syndrome.

The objective of the study was to examine the risk factors and prognostic indicators for medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). In total, 35 subjects were included in the study. For the risk factor analysis, the following parameters were investigated: hip internal and external ranges of motion, knee flexion and extension, dorsal and plantar ankle flexion, hallux flexion and extension, subtalar eversion and inversion, maximal calf girth, lean calf girth, standing foot angle and navicular drop test. After multivariate regression decreased hip internal range of motion, increased ankle plantar flexion and positive navicular drop were associated with MTSS. A higher body mass index was associated with a longer duration to full recovery. For other prognostic indicators, no relationship was found.