Tibialis posterior myofascial tightness as a source of heel pain: diagnosis and treatment.
METHODS
We report 2 cases in which a novel tibialis posterior muscle stretch is used to treat heel pain and lower extremity impairment.


OBJECTIVE
To explore dysfunction of the tibialis posterior as a source of heel pain.


BACKGROUND
Heel pain is a common symptom of orthopaedic dysfunction of the lower extremity. Tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction is well documented in the medical and surgical literature, but its identification in its early or precursive stages has received little attention.


METHODS
An examination and treatment outline, incorporating a novel assessment and stretching technique, is presented.


RESULTS
We identified a stage of dysfunction of the tibialis posterior ("Pre-Stage 1") without clinically identifiable tendon pathology. We refer to this as tibialis posterior myofascial tightness (TPMT).


CONCLUSIONS
Tibialis posterior myofascial tightness is a clinical entity that may be differentially diagnosed in cases of heel pain and specifically treated.
Patla
C E
CE
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Fla 32086-5783, USA. cepatla@usa.edu
Abbott
J H
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002111:Calcaneus; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006365:Heel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*