Successful treatment of medial tibial stress syndrome in a collegiate athlete focusing on clinical findings and kinesiological factors contributing to pain

ABSTRACT

Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is characterized by the presence of diffuse pain in the posteromedial portion of the medial border of the tibia. Current evidence from the literature has not established an effective treatment and has not been able to demonstrate effectiveness of numerous modalities commonly used to treat MTSS pain.

Case Description

This report describes an 18-year-old male collegiate soccer player who presented with pain along the distal medial tibial border bilaterally consistent with the diagnosis of medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). Treatment focused on correcting clinical and kinesiological findings likely contributing to the patient’s condition including fascial mobilization, interferential currents (IFC), strengthening and stretching exercises. After 10 sessions over 10 weeks the patient was able to return to training and competition without pain.

KEYWORDS:

• medial tibial stress syndrome
• shin splint
• sports physiotherapy
• running injuries
• posterior tibialis

Acknowledgement

This clinical case was conducted in the Clinic of Physiotherapy of the National School of Higher Studies, Leon Unit, National Autonomous University of Mexico.

The author wants to thank Doctor Mauricio Alberto Ravelo Izquierdo and Doctor Aline Cristina Cintra Viveiro for their methodological advise in preparing this article. Physiotherapist Laura Natalia Casas Castillo and Physiotherapist Janette Esperanza López Maldonado for the evaluation and organization of the clinical file. Physiotherapy Student Luz Elsy Reyes Hernández for her help in the physiotherapeutic care of the patient. Engineer Luis Enrique González Maldonado and Laura Alejandra Torres Ramírez for the graphic elaboration of the images presented.

Disclosure statement

The author reports no conflict of interest.