Transcript Chapter 19: The Ankle and Lower Leg

Chapter 19: The Ankle and
Lower Leg
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Figure 19-1
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Figure 19-2
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Figure 19-3
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Figure 19-4
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Figure 19-5
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Figure 19-6
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Figure 19-8
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Functional Anatomy
• Ankle is a stable hinge joint
• Medial and lateral displacement is
prevented by the malleoli
• Ligament arrangement limits inversion and
eversion at the subtalar joint
• Square shape of talus adds to stability of
the ankle
• Most stable during dorsiflexion, least stable
in plantar flexion
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• Degrees of motion for the ankle range
from 10 degrees of dorsiflexion to 50
degrees of plantar flexion
• Normal gait requires 10 degrees of
dorsiflexion and 20 degrees of plantar
flexion with the knee fully extended
• Normal ankle function is dependent on
action of the rear foot and subtalar joint
• Critical link in kinetic chain
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Preventing Injury in the Lower
Leg and Ankle
• Achilles Tendon Stretching
– A tight heel cord may limit dorsiflexion and may
predispose individual to ankle injury
– Should routinely stretch before and after practice
– Stretching should be performed with knee extended
and flexed 15-30 degrees
• Strength Training
– Static and dynamic joint stability is critical in
preventing injury
– While maintaining normal ROM, muscles and
tendons surrounding joint must be kept strong
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• Neuromuscular
Control Training
– Can be enhanced
by training in
controlled
activities
– Uneven surfaces,
BAPS boards,
rocker boards, or
Dynadiscs can
also be utilized to
challenge athlete
Figure 19-39
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• Footwear
– Can be an important factor in reducing
injury
– Shoes should not be used in activities they
were not made for
• Preventive Taping and Orthoses
– Tape can provide some prophylactic
protection
– Improperly applied tape can disrupt normal
biomechanical function and cause injury
– Lace-up braces have even been found to
be superior to taping relative to prevention
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Assessing the Lower Leg and
Ankle
• History
– Past history
– Mechanism of injury
– When does it hurt?
– Type of, quality of, duration of pain?
– Sounds or feelings?
– How long were you disabled?
– Swelling?
– Previous treatments?
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• Observations
– Postural deviations?
– Genu valgum or varum?
– Is there difficulty with
walking?
– Deformities, asymmetries
or swelling?
– Color and texture of skin,
heat, redness?
– Patient in obvious pain?
– Is range of motion normal?
Figure 19-9
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•Palpation: Bones and Soft Tissue
• Fibular head and
shaft
• Lateral malleolus
• Tibial plateau
• Tibial shaft
• Medial malleolus
• Dome of talus
• Calcaneus
• Sustentaculum tali
•
•
•
•
Peroneus longus
Peroneus brevis
Peroneus tertius
Flexor digitorum
longus
• Flexor hallucis
• Posterior tibialis
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•Palpation: Soft Tissue (continued)
• Anterior tibialis
• Extensor hallucis
longus
• Extensor digitorum
longus
• Gastrocnemius
• Soleus
• Achilles tendon
• Anterior/posterior
talofibular ligament
• Calcaneofibular
ligament
• Deltoid ligament
• Anterior tibiofibular
ligament
• Posterior tibiofibular
ligament
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• Special Test - Lower Leg
– Lower Leg Alignment Tests
• Mal-alignment can reveal causes of abnormal
stresses applied to foot, ankle, lower leg, knees
and hips
• Anteriorly, a straight line can be drawn from ASIS,
through patella and between 1st and 2nd toes
• Laterally, a straight line can go from greater
trochanter through center of patella and just
behind the lateral malleolus
• Posteriorly, a line can be drawn through the
center of the lower leg, midline to the Achilles and
calcaneus
• Internal or external tibial torsion is also a common
mal-alignment
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– Percussion and compression tests for fracture
• Percussion test is a blow to the tibia, fibula or heel to
create vibratory force that resonates w/in fracture
• Compression test involves compression of tibia and
fibula either above or below site of concern
• Tuning forks can also be used to create vibration at
point of injury
– Thompson test
• Squeeze calf muscle, while foot is extended off table
to test the integrity of the Achilles tendon
– Positive tests results in no movement in the foot
– Homan’s test
• Test for deep vein thrombophlebitis
• With knee extended and foot off table, ankle is
moved into dorsiflexion
• Pain in calf is a positive sign and should be referred
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Compression Test
Homan’s Test
Percussion Test
Thompson Test
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• Ankle Stability Tests
– Anterior drawer test
• Used to determine damage to anterior
talofibular ligament primarily and other lateral
ligament secondarily
• A positive test occurs when foot slides forward
and/or makes a clunking sound as it reaches
the end point
– Talar tilt test
• Performed to determine extent of inversion or
eversion injuries
• With foot at 90 degrees calcaneus is inverted
and excessive motion indicates injury to
calcaneofibular ligament and possibly the
anterior and posterior talofibular ligaments
• If the calcaneus is everted, the deltoid ligament
is tested
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Anterior Drawer Test
Talar Tilt Test
Figures 19-14 & 15
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– Kleiger’s test
• Used primarily to determine extent of damage to
the deltoid ligament and may be used to evaluate
distal ankle syndesmosis, anterior/posterior
tibiofibular ligaments and the interosseus
membrane
• With lower leg stabilized, foot is rotated laterally
to stress the deltoid
– Medial Subtalar Glide Test
• Performed to determine presence of excessive
medial translation of the calcaneus on the talus
• Talus is stabilized in subtalar neutral, while other
hand glides the calcaneus, medially
• A positive test presents with excessive
movement, indicating injury to the lateral
ligaments
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Kleiger’s Test
Medial Subtalar Glide Test
Figures 19-16 & 17
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• Functional Tests
– While weight bearing the following should
be performed
•
•
•
•
•
•
Walk on toes (plantar flexion)
Walk on heels (dorsiflexion)
Walk on lateral borders of feet (inversion)
Walk on medial borders of feet (eversion)
Hops on injured ankle
Passive, active and resistive movements
should be manually applied to determine joint
integrity and muscle function
– If the patient has difficulty with bearing
weight these tests should not be utilized.
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Specific Injuries
• Ankle Injuries: Sprains
– Single most common injury in the physically
active caused by sudden inversion or eversion
moments
• Inversion Sprains
– Most common and result in injury to the lateral
ligaments
– Anterior talofibular ligament is injured with
inversion, plantar flexion and internal rotation
– Occasionally the force is great enough for an
avulsion fracture to occur w/ the lateral
malleolus
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• Severity of ligament
sprains is classified
according to grades
• With inversion
sprains the foot is
forcefully inverted or
occurs when the
foot comes into
contact w/ uneven
surfaces
Figure 19-19
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• Ottawa Ankle Rules
– Used for determining need for
radiograph
– Most often used in emergency room
– Indicates that
Figure 19-21
• 1. Required if pain in malleolar or midfoot
area
• Inability to bear weight for 4 steps (2 on each
foot) at time of injury and examination
• Tenderness over inferior or posterior pole of
either malleoli
• Inability to bear weight (4 steps taken
independently, even if limping) at time of
injury and/or evaluation
• Tenderness along base of 5th metatarsal or
navicular bone
– The Buffalo modification focuses on
tenderness along fibula
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• Grade 1 Ligament Sprain
– Etiology
• Occurs with inversion plantar flexion and adduction
• Causes stretching of the anterior talofibular ligament
– Signs and Symptoms
• Mild pain and disability; weight bearing is minimally
impaired; point tenderness over ligaments and no
laxity
– Management
• RICE for 1-2 days; limited weight bearing initially
and then aggressive rehab
• Tape may provide some additional support
• Return to activity in 7-10 days
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• Grade 2 Ligament Sprain
– Etiology
• Moderate inversion force causing great deal of
disability with many days of lost time
– Signs and Symptoms
• Feel or hear pop or snap; moderate pain w/
difficulty bearing weight; tenderness and
edema
• Positive talar tilt and anterior drawer tests
– Management
• RICE for at least first 72 hours; X-ray exam to
rule out fx; crutches 5-10 days, progressing to
weight bearing
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– Management (continued)
• Will require protective immobilization but begin
ROM exercises early to aid in maintenance of
motion and proprioception
• Taping will provide support during early stages
of walking and running
• Long term disability will include chronic
instability with injury recurrence potentially
leading to joint degeneration
• Must continue to engage in rehab to prevent
against re-injury
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• Grade 3 Ligament Sprain
– Etiology
• Relatively uncommon but is extremely disabling
• Caused by significant force (inversion) resulting
in spontaneous subluxation and reduction
• Causes damage to the anterior/posterior
talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments as
well as the capsule
– Signs and Symptoms
• Severe pain, swelling, hemarthrosis,
discoloration
• Unable to bear weight
• Positive talar tilt and anterior drawer
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– Management
• RICE, X-ray (physician may apply dorsiflexion
splint for 3-6 weeks)
• Crutches are provided after cast removal
• Isometrics in cast; ROM, PRE and balance
exercise once out
• Surgery may be warranted to stabilize ankle
due to increased laxity and instability
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•Eversion Ankle Sprains
-(Represent 5-10% of all ankle sprains)
• Etiology
– Bony protection and
ligament strength
decreases likelihood
of injury
– Eversion force
results in damage to
deltoid ligament and
possibly fx of the
fibula
– Deltoid can also be
impinged and
contused with
inversion sprains
Figure 19-24 A & B
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– Etiology (continued)
• Due to severity of injury, it may take longer to heal
• Foot that is pronated, hypermobile or has a
depressed medial longitudinal arch is more
predisposed to eversion sprains
– Signs and Symptoms
• Pain may be severe; unable to bear weight; and pain
with abduction and adduction but not direct pressure
on bottom of foot
– Management
• RICE; X-ray to rule out fx; no weight bearing initially;
posterior splint tape; NSAID’s
• Follows the same course of treatment as inversion
sprains
• Grade 2 or higher will present with considerable
instability and may cause weakness in medial
longitudinal arch resulting in excessive pronation or
fallen arch
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• Syndesmotic Sprain
– Etiology
• Injury to the distal tibiofemoral joint (anterior/posterior
tibiofibular ligament)
• Torn w/ increased external rotation or dorsiflexion
• Injured in conjunction w/ medial and lateral ligaments
– Signs and Symptoms
• Severe pain, loss of function; passive external rotation and
dorsiflexion cause pain
• Pain is usually anterolaterally located
– Management
• Difficult to treat and may requires months of treatment
• Same course of treatment as other sprains, however,
immobilization and total rehab may be longer
• Surgery may be required
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• Ankle Fractures/Dislocations
– Etiology
• Number of mechanisms
– Avulsion, bi-malleolar fractures
– Signs and Symptoms
• Swelling and pain may be extreme with
possible deformity
– Management
• RICE to control hemorrhaging and swelling
• Once swelling is reduced, a walking cast or
brace may be applied, w/ immobilization lasting
6-8 weeks
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Figure 19-26
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Figure 19-26 B
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• Osteochondritis Dissecans
– Etiology
• Occur in superior medial articular surface of the
talar dome
• One or several fragments of articular cartilage, w/
underlying subchondral bone partially or
completely detached and moving within the joint
space
• Mechanism may be single trauma or repeated
traumas
– Signs and Symptoms
• May be a complaint of pain and effusion with signs
of atrophy
• May also be catching, locking, or giving way
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• Osteochondritis Dissecans
– Management
• Diagnosis through X-ray or MRI
• Incomplete and non-displaced injuries can be
immobilized with early motion and delayed
weight bearing
• If fragments are displaced, surgery is
necessary
• Surgery will minimize risk of nonunion
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• Acute Achilles Strain
– Etiology
• Common in sports and often occurs with
sprains or excessive dorsiflexion
– Sign and Symptoms
• Pain may be mild to severe
• Most severe injury is partial/complete avulsion
or rupturing of the Achilles
– Management
• Pressure and RICE should be applied
• After hemorrhaging has subsided an elastic
wrap should continue to be applied
• Conservative treatment should be used as
Achilles problems generally become chronic
• A heel lift should be used and stretching and
strengthening should begin soon
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• Achilles Tendinosis
– Etiology
• Achilles tendinitis is an inflammatory condition
involving tendon, sheath or paratenon
– Referred to as tenosynovitis
– Causes fibrosis and scaring that can restrict tendon
motion in sheath
– May lead to tendinosis
• Achilles tendinosis typically does not present
with inflammation, area has lost normal
appearance, with cell disorganization/scarring
and degeneration
• Tendon is overloaded due to extensive stress
• Presents with gradual onset and worsens with
continued use
• Decreased flexibility exacerbates condition
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– Signs and Symptoms
• Generalized pain and
stiffness, localized
proximal to calcaneal
insertion
• Warm and painful with
palpation, also presents
with thickening
• May limit strength
• May progress to
morning stiffness
• Crepitus with active
plantar flexion and
passive dorsiflexion
• Chronic inflammation
may lead to thickening
Figure 19-27
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– Management
• Resistant to quick resolution due to slow
healing nature of tendon
• Must reduce stress on tendon, address
structural faults (orthotics, mechanics,
flexibility)
• Use anti-inflammatory modalities and
medications
• Cross friction massage may be helpful in
breaking down adhesions
• Strengthening must progress slowly in order to
not aggravate the tendon
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• Achilles Tendon Rupture
– Etiology
• Occurs w/ sudden stop and go; forceful plantar
flexion w/ knee moving into full extension
• Commonly seen in athletes > 30 years old
– Can be observed at any age
• Generally has history of chronic inflammation
– Signs and Symptoms
• Sudden snap (kick in the leg) w/ immediate
pain which rapidly subsides
• Point tenderness, swelling, discoloration;
decreased ROM
• Obvious indentation and positive Thompson
test
• Occurs 2-6 cm proximal the calcaneal insertion
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• Achilles Tendon Rupture
(continued)
– Management
• Usual management involves
surgical repair for serious injuries
(return of 75-80% of function)
• Non-operative treatment consists
of RICE, NSAID’s, analgesics, and
a non-weight bearing cast for 6
weeks, followed up by a walking
cast for 2 weeks (75-90% return to
normal function)
• Rehabilitation lasts about 6 months
Figure 19-28
and consists of ROM, PRE and
wearing a 2cm heel lift in both
shoes
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• Peroneal Tendon Subluxation/Dislocation
– Etiology
• Occurs in sports with dynamic forces being applied to the
ankle
• May also be caused by dramatic blow to posterior lateral
malleolus, or moderate/severe inversion ankle sprain
resulting in tearing of peroneal retinaculum
• In some cases tendon may rupture
– Signs and Symptoms
•
•
•
•
Complain of snapping in and out of groove with activity
Eversion against manual resistance replicates subluxation
Recurrent pain, snapping and instability
Present with ecchymosis, edema, tenderness, and
crepitus over the tendon
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• Peroneal Subluxation (continued)
– Management
• Conservative approach should be used first,
including compression with felt horseshoe
• Reinforce compression pad with rigid plastic or
plaster until acute signs have subsided
• RICE, NSAID’s and analgesics
• Conservative treatment time 5-6 weeks
followed by gradual rehab program
• Surgery if conservative plan fails
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• Anterior Tibialis Tendinitis
– Etiology
• Commonly occurs after extensive down hill
running
– Signs and Symptoms
• Point tenderness over anterior tibialis tendon
– Management
• Rest or at least decrease running time and
distance, avoid hills
• In more serious cases, ice & stretch before and
after running to reduce symptoms
• Daily strengthening should be conducted
• Oral anti-inflammatory medication may be
required
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• Posterior Tibialis Tendinitis
– Etiology
• Common overuse condition in runners with foot
hypermobility or over pronation
• Repetitive microtrauma
– Signs and Symptoms
• Pain and swelling in area of medial malleolus
• Edema, point tenderness and increased pain
during resistive inversion and plantar flexion
– Management
• Initially, RICE, NSAID’s and analgesics
• Non-weight bearing cast w/ foot in inversion
may be used
• Correct problem of over pronation with taping
or orthotic
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• Peroneal Tendinitis
– Etiology
• Not common, but can be found with patients
that have pes cavus due to excessive
supination placing stress on peroneal tendon
– Signs and Symptoms
• Pain behind lateral malleolus during push-off or
when rising on ball of foot
• Pain along distolateral aspect of calcaneus and
beneath the cuboid
– Management
• RICE, NSAID’s, elastic taping, appropriate
warm-up and flexibility exercises
• LowDye taping or orthotics to help support foot
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Figure 19-29
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• Shin Contusion
– Etiology
• Direct blow to lower leg (impacting periosteum
anteriorly)
– Signs and Symptoms
• Intense pain, rapidly forming hematoma w/ jelly like
consistency
– Management
• RICE, NSAID’s and analgesics as needed
• Maintaining compression for hematoma (which
may need to aspirated)
• Fit with doughnut pad and orthoplast shell for
protection
• If not managed appropriately may develop into
osteomyelitis (deterioration of bone)
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• Muscle Contusions
– Etiology
• Contusion of leg, particularly in the region of the
gastrocnemius
– Signs and Symptoms
• Bruise may develop, pain, weakness and partial
loss of limb function
• Palpation will reveal hard, rigid, inflexible area due
to internal hemorrhaging and muscle guarding
– Management
• Stretch to prevent spasm; apply cold compression
and ice
• If superficial therapy and massage do not return
patient to normal in 2-3 days, ultrasound would be
indicated
• Wrap or tape will help to stabilize the area
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• Leg Cramps and Spasms
- Sudden, violent, involuntary contraction, either
clonic (intermittent) or tonic (sustained) in nature
– Etiology
• Difficult to determine; fatigue, loss of fluids,
electrolyte imbalance, inadequate reciprocal
muscle coordination
– Signs and Symptoms
• Cramping with pain and contraction of calf
muscle
– Management
• Try to help patient relax to relieve cramp
• Firm grasp of cramping muscle with gentle
stretching will relieve acute spasm
• Ice will also aid in reducing spasm
• If recurrent may be fatigue or water/electrolyte
imbalance
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• Gastrocnemius Strain
– Etiology
• Susceptible to strain near musculotendinous attachment
• Caused by quick start or stop, jumping
– Signs and Symptoms
• Depending on grade, variable amount of swelling, pain,
muscle disability
• May feel like being “hit in leg with a stick”
• Edema, point tenderness and functional loss of strength
– Management
• RICE, NSAID’s and analgesics as needed
• Grade 1 should apply gentle stretch after cooling
• Weight bearing as tolerated; use heel wedge to reduce
calf stretching while walking
• Gradual rehab program should be instituted
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• Acute Leg Fractures
– Etiology
• Fibula has highest incidence of fracture,
occurring primarily in the middle third
• Tibial fractures occur predominantly in the
lower third
• Result of direct blow or indirect trauma
– Signs and Symptoms
• Pain, swelling, soft tissue insult
• Leg will appear hard and swollen (Volkman’s
contracture)
– Management
• X-ray, reduction, casting up to 6 weeks
depending on the extent of injury
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Figure 19-32
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• Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin
Splints)
– Etiology
• Pain in anterior portion of shin
• Catch all for stress fractures, muscle strains,
chronic anterior compartment syndrome
• Accounts for 10-15% of all running injuries, 60%
of leg pain in athletes
• Caused by repetitive microtrauma
• Weak muscles, improper footwear, training errors,
varus foot, tight heel cord, hypermobile or
pronated feet and even forefoot supination can
contribute to MTSS
• May also involve, stress fractures or exertional
compartment syndrome
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• Shin Splints (continued)
– Signs and Symptoms
• Four grades of pain
– Pain after activity
– Pain before and after activity and not affecting
performance
– Pain before, during and after activity, affecting
performance
– Pain so severe, performance is impossible
– Management
•
•
•
•
•
•
Physician referral for X-rays and bone scan
Activity modification
Correction of abnormal biomechanics
Ice massage to reduce pain and inflammation
Flexibility program for gastroc-soleus complex
Arch taping and or orthotics
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• Compartment Syndrome
– Etiology
• Acute compartment syndrome
– Occurs secondary to direct trauma
– Medical emergency
• Acute exertional compartment syndrome
– Evolves with minimal to moderate activity
• Chronic compartment syndrome
– Symptoms arise consistently at certain point during activity
– Signs and Symptoms
• Complain of deep aching pain & tightness due to
pressure and swelling
• Reduced circulation and sensation of foot occurs
• Intracompartmental measures further define severity
• Must be recognized and treated early
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• Compartment Syndrome (continued)
– Management
• If severe acute or chronic case, may present as
medical emergency that requires surgery to
reduce pressure or release fascia
• RICE, NSAID’s and analgesics as needed
• Under acute and exertional cases pressures
will be monitored and surgical needs will be
dependent on findings
– Following surgical release patient may not return to
activity for 2-4 months
• In chronic conditions management is initially
conservative
• Fasciotomy may be necessary if conservative
measures fail
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• Stress Fracture of Tibia or Fibula
– Etiology
• Common overuse condition, particularly in those
with structural and biomechanical insufficiencies
• Runners tends to develop in lower third of lower
leg (dancers middle third)
• Often occur in unconditioned, non-experienced
individuals
• Often training errors are involved
• Component of female athlete triad
– Signs and Symptoms
• Pain more intense after exercise than before
• Point tenderness; difficult to discern bone and soft
tissue pain
• Bone scan results (stress fracture vs. periostitis)
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• Management
– Discontinue stress
inducing activity 14
days
– Use crutches for
walking
– Weight bearing may
return when pain
subsides
– Cycling before running
– After pain free for 2
weeks patient can
gradually return to
running
– Biomechanics must be
addressed
Figure 19-34
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Rehabilitation Techniques
• General Body Conditioning
– Must be maintained with non-weight bearing
activities
• Weight Bearing
– Non-weight bearing vs. partial weight bearing
– Protection and faster healing
– Partial weight bearing helps to limit muscle
atrophy, proprioceptive loss, circulatory
stasis and tendinitis
– Protected motion facilitates collagen
alignment and stronger healing
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• Joint Mobilizations
– Movement of an injured joint can be
improved with manual mobilization
techniques
• Flexibility
– During early stages inversion and eversion
should be limited
– Plantar flexion and dorsiflexion should be
encouraged
– With decreased discomfort inversion and
eversion exercises should be initiated
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Figure 19-37
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• Neuromuscular Control
– BAPS board progression should be based on
patient’s progress
• Non  Partial  Full weight bearing
– Deficits can predispose individuals to injury
– Patient should engage in proprioception
progression including double and single leg
stances, eyes open and closed, single leg
kicks and alternating apparatuses and
surfaces
– Use of a variety of closed kinetic chain
exercises may be beneficial
• Enhances overall proprioceptive return
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• Strengthening
– Isometrics (4 directions) early during rehab
phase
– With increased healing, aggressive nature
of strengthening should increase (isotonic
exercises
– Pain should serve as the guideline for
progression
– Tubing exercises allows for concentric and
eccentric exercises
– PNF allows for isolation of specific motions
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• Taping and Bracing
– Ideal to have patient return w/out taping
and bracing
– Common practice to use tape and brace
initially to enhance stabilization
– Must be sure it does not interfere with
overall motor performance
– Utilize braces and taping to provide
support to ligamentous structures
– May help athlete detect movement in the
ankle and reduce injury
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• Functional Progressions
– Severe injuries require more detailed plan
– Introduction of weight bearing activities
(partial vs. full) is critical to progress
– Progression must occur based on pain and
level of function
– Running can begin when ambulation is
pain free (transition from pool  even
surface  changes of speed and direction)
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• Return to Activity
– Must have complete range of motion and
at least 80-90% of pre-injury strength
before return to sport
– If full practice is tolerated w/out insult,
patient can return to competition
– Return to activity must involve gradual
progression of functional activities, slowly
increasing stress on injured structure
– Specific sports dictate specific drills
© 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.