The Active Supination Dorsiflexion Test Guided Therapeutic Intervention for Shin and Calf Pain: A Case Report

Sebastian Deepak

doi:10.23937/2572-3243.1510078

Abstract

A 66-year-old male experienced right sided shin and calf pain of an insidious onset. The duration of pain was 3 months, aggravated by walking and running. He also reported resting pain especially during the night. A detail medical evaluation ruled out the presence of a blood clot and electrolyte imbalance. He was diagnosed as having restless leg syndrome and referred for physical rehabilitation.

Highlights

IntroductionShin and calf pain are frequently encountered in rehabilitation settings. It is a condition prevalent in both active and sedentary individuals [1,2]
Lower leg, shin and calf pain are frequently encountered in rehabilitation settings
Individuals presenting to a primary care setting with lower leg, shin and calf pain are evaluated for the possible presence of blood clots [3], chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) [4], stress fractures [5], and infrequently malignancy [6]

Summary

Introduction

Shin and calf pain are frequently encountered in rehabilitation settings. It is a condition prevalent in both active and sedentary individuals [1,2]. The intent was to improve dorsiflexion of the talus as a reversal of its plantarflexed position which was favoring pronation [41,42,43] This was followed by soft tissue mobilization of the lower leg region addressing the muscles in the anterior and posterior tibial compartments. The active exercises targeted the anterior tibial group comprising dorsiflexion and inversion and posterior tibial group comprising plantarflexion and inversion This was followed by active exercises for the intrinsic foot muscles comprising toe curls over a towel to encourage elevation of the medial longitudinal arch and reversal of pronation (Figure 5). The patient reported a decrease in the intensity of pain to 2/10 at its worse and 0/10 at best on the NPRS scale with negligible symptom reproduction on local pressure over the shin and calf area He exhibited improved and full range of motion in passive and active dorsiflexion in supine lying.

Discussion

Conclusion