Treatment Interventions for Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) or more commonly referred to as “shin splints” is characterized as an overuse or repetitive stress injury that causes vague pain over and around the tibia. Researchers are yet to determine a definitive cause though numerous risk factors have been noted. They are as follows; over training,type of surface, poor footwear, muscular imbalances at the ankle, over tight or weak triceps surae muscles, imbalances at the thoracolumbar complex, other muscular imbalances and BMI above 30. Rehabilitation and treatment interventions often call for a pause in training entirely or at the very least an immediate scaling back of running or training. Most other interventions call for either a change in running or playing surfaces and a change or upgrade in footwear. For athletes competing at high levels, ceasing or lessening the workload can be detrimental to their seasons. Treatment interventions that call for rehabilitation plans that address the muscular imbalances are better suited for the competitive athlete. With this paper we intend to look at the rehabilitation plans for MTSS that address as many of the risk factors as possible. Once an ideal rehabilitation plan is drafted it would then be put it in to a preventative exercise plan that would hopefully minimize the risk of athletes and active people getting MTSS