Prevalence of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome among Non-Athletic Treadmill Users. A cross-sectional study
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Abstract
Background: Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is a common injury affecting athletes, runners, and individuals engaged in high-impact activities. Non-athletic treadmill users are also at high risk due to increased exercise volume, load, and impact. MTSS is characterized by unrepaired microdamage in the cortical bone of the tibia, often resulting from repetitive muscle contractions.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of medial tibial stress syndrome among non-athletic treadmill users.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over six months following the approval of the synopsis. A convenience sampling technique was used to recruit 96 participants from two gym centers in Lahore. Participants, aged 18 to 30 years, with no history of physical or mental illness, were included. Exclusion criteria included those involved in structured sports, competitive programs, athletes, individuals under training, those with joint stiffness, obvious deformities, or comorbid conditions such as fractures, osteoarthritis, bone carcinoma, or recent surgical procedures of the lower limbs. Data were collected using a Delphi-study-developed, cross-culturally translated English questionnaire. Ethical approval was obtained, and the study adhered to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics, frequencies, and percentages.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 24.09 ± 2.970 years. Among the 96 participants, 45 were male (46.9%) and 51 were female (53.1%). MTSS severity was classified as follows: 20% minimal, 23.9% moderate, 29.1% severe, 14.5% crippling, and 11.4% bed-bound.
Conclusion: Medial tibial stress syndrome was found to be prevalent among non-athletic treadmill users, with a significant portion experiencing moderate to severe symptoms. This highlights the need for targeted interventions and preventive measures for this demographic.
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