Myofascial trigger points in the triceps surae

Abstract Background: Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) have been cited as a cause of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. There is a paucity of evidence in the lower limb and specifically the triceps surae for the prevalence of MTrPs and efficacy of targeted interventions. Aims: To investigate the prevalence of active and latent MtrPs and associated pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the triceps surae in a healthy university population. To inform future phase 11 investigations on the efficacy of trigger point (TrP) pressure release on triceps surae dysfunction in a patient population. Methods: The first phase of this thesis established a new clinical probe adaptation to algometry. This new adaptation was used in a cross sectional study (n=220) to establish normative data on active and latent MTrP prevalence and PPT in the triceps surae. The results informed a case series on a patient population (n=10) with triceps surae dysfunction. Results: In the preliminary algometer probe study, the majority of participants indicated that PPT measurements using the 2cm2 probe with open cell polyurethane (Poron®) most clinically replicated the palpating thumb. The prevalence study identified no active MTrPs in the triceps surae muscles whereas latent MTrPs were identified in all triceps surae sites with prevalence varying from 13% (right soleus) to 30% (left gastrocnemius). An overall significant difference in PPT values (p