Prevalence of medial tibial stress syndrome [MTSS] in secondary high school sports players

Abstract

Background: Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome [MTSS] is a lower limb injury related to repetitive overuse of shin muscles. Some known assessment tools for diagnosis of MTSS are manual muscle testing for strength of soleus, tibialis posterior muscle and universal goniometer for ankle – range of motion. Previous studies have also concluded association of foot pronation with MTSS. Objective: The objective of this study was to check prevalence of MTSS in group of secondary high school sports players, to compare if prevalence was more in males or females and check association between foot posture and MTSS. Materials and Method: 60 participants of age group 12- 15 years were selected according to inclusion criteria of which 30 were males and 30 were females. The purpose of study and procedure to be done was explained to participants as well as guardian and informed consent was taken from both. The outcome measures i.e ankle- range of motion, manual muscle testing for soleus and tibialis posterior and Foot posture index were assessed bilaterally. The scores were recorded and hence analyzed. Result: Out of 60 participants 31 were positively diagnosed for MTSS 24 were negative and 5 were excluded. Post assessment we found that prevalence of MTSS was more in males (59.2%) as compared to females (53.5%). Our records resulted that pronatory foot type is notably associated with MTSS. The p value for ankle ROM plantarflexion was 0.075 and for dorsiflexion was 0.58. The p value for soleus strength score was 0.0001 and we observed that strength for tibialis posterior was not significantly reduced.