Treatment of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome Using the MyoKinesthetic System: A Case Serie

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this case series was twofold: to compare and identify the physiological and muscular differences between those with MTSS and those without MTSS as well as assess the MyoKinesthetic System’s (MYK) effect on medial tibial stress syndrome in a physically active population compared to ice massage and stretching the gastrocnemius/soleus complex and plantar fascia. Methods: The case series was completed in a state college athletic training facility. Six participants, all physically active, were included in the study. Two of the participants were included in the experimental groups due to complaints of MTSS pain and 4 participants with no pain or prior history of MTSS were placed in the control group. Mean age for the six participants was 20.3 (SD=1.86). Each participant answered select patient-rated outcome measures (PROM) and were analyzed via a navicular drop test and MyoKinesthetic System posture screen. The participant randomly placed in experimental group A was treated with a MYK System treatment and the participant placed in experimental group B was treated with traditional methods (i.e. ice massage, stretching of the gastrocnemius/soleus complex, rolling of the plantar fascia). Evidence of improvement in participant’s function and pain were based on the select PROMs. Results: The participant in experimental group A (MYK) presented with a “normal” navicular drop measurement, whereas the participant in experimental group B (traditional treatment) showed an “abnormal” navicular drop measurement in her right foot only. The control group had a lower average navicular drop measurement than both experimental participants. The experimental participants had greatest dysfunction at the L5 and S1 nerve root levels based on the MYK System posture screen. Similarly, the control group exhibited dysfunctions at the L5 and S1 levels. The participant who received the MYK System treatment improved in all 6 PROMs and the participant treated with the traditional treatment reported decreases in her overall function and an increase in her perceived pain based on the 6 PROMs. Conclusion: No relationship could be determined from the small, homogeneous sample size, but the trends in participant’s responses to treatment were in support of the MYK System as an effective treatment for MTSS. No obvious postural differences were not found between the experimental and control groups.