Conservative treatment of medial tibial stress syndrome
Authors:
Klimešová K.; Smékal D.; Hanzlíková I.
Authors‘ workplace:
Katedra fyzioterapie, Fakulta tělesné kultury, Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci
Published in:
Rehabil. fyz. Lék., 30, 2023, No. 2, pp. 98-104.
Category:
Review Article
doi:
https://doi.org/10.48095/ccrhfl202398
Overview
The medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is an overuse injury caused by repetitive stress applied to the tibia. The MTSS presents as exercise-induced pain over the distal two-thirds of lower leg, more specifically, over the posteromedial aspect of the tibia. The MTSS is one of the most common injuries among runners, however, it occurs also in other running and jumping sports. The high prevalence of the MTSS is also in soldiers. If not treated properly, the MTSS may limit individuals not only in sport but also in everyday life activities. Moreover, in the case of soldiers and professional athletes, the MTSS may limit their capability to work. For that reason, knowledge of the MTSS and its treatment is required especially in healthcare and sport environment. However, the scientific literature written in the Czech language is lacking on this topic. Therefore, the aim of this article is to summarize the current scientific literature concerning the MTSS. This article focuses on the MTSS pathophysiology, which is still not fully understood, the MTSS diagnosis and differentiation from other pathologies in this area such as tibial stress fractures, and the MTSS injury risk factors. Knowledge of the risk factors is necessary not just for a proper therapy but also for a prevention of this overuse injury. The main focus of the article is on the therapy of MTSS, which is often conservative with physiotherapy playing a crucial role. Usually, it includes a specific individual rehabilitation plan which consists of lifestyle and activity modification, gradual loading of tibia and change of movement biomechanics.
Keywords:
diagnosis – therapy – pathophysiology – risk factors – MTSS – overload injury
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Labels
Physiotherapist, university degree Rehabilitation Sports medicineArticle was published in
Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine
2023 Issue 2
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