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Myofascial trigger point therapy for triceps surae dysfunction: Acaseseries

Grieve, Rob; Cramp, Fiona; Grieve, Robert; Barnett, Sue; Cramp, Fiona (Alice); Coghill, Nikki

Authors

Rob Grieve

Fiona Cramp

Rob Grieve Rob.Grieve@uwe.ac.uk
Senior Research Fellow (Knowledge Exchange)

Fiona Cramp Fiona.Cramp@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Long Term Conditions

Nikki Coghill



Abstract

Aims: The main aim of the case series was to inform further experimental research to determine the effectiveness of myofascial trigger point (MTrP) therapy for the treatment of triceps surae dysfunction. Participants: Ten participants with triceps surae dysfunction were recruited (4 females and 6 males); mean age. ±. standard deviation=43. ±. 7.1 years. Methods: Participants were screened for inclusion/exclusion criteria and the following outcomes measures were assessed at baseline and discharge; lower extremity functional scale (LEFS), verbal numerical rating scale (NRS), MTrP prevalence, ankle dorsiflexion range of movement (ROM) and pressure pain threshold (PPT). Intervention involved trigger point (TrP) pressure release, self MTrP release and a home stretching programme. Results: There was a high prevalence of active/latent MTrPs and possible myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) for all 10 participants at baseline. Active MTrP prevalence decreased to 0%, while latent MTrPs were still present at discharge. There were positive changes in most outcome measures (LEFS, NRS, ROM and PPT) for all 10 participants. Short term to medium term treatment outcomes (6 week post discharge) showed an overall mean LEFS increase of 11 points from 61/80 at baseline to 72/80 at discharge. Conclusion: This case series suggests that a brief course of multimodal MTrP therapy would be helpful for some patients with sub-acute or chronic calf pain. Important preliminary data was gathered, that will inform more rigorous research in this under investigated area. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Citation

Cramp, F., Grieve, R., Grieve, R., Barnett, S., Coghill, N., & Cramp, F. (. (2013). Myofascial trigger point therapy for triceps surae dysfunction: Acaseseries. Manual Therapy, 18(6), 519-525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2013.04.004

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Dec 1, 2013
Journal Manual Therapy
Print ISSN 1356-689X
Electronic ISSN 1532-2769
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 18
Issue 6
Pages 519-525
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2013.04.004
Keywords case series, triceps surae, calf dysfunction, myofascial trigger point therapy
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/925404
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2013.04.004