1.0 INTRODUCTION
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) has been defined as "a muscular pain disorder involving regional pain referred by trigger points (TrPs) within the myofascial structures, local or distant from the origin of pain" (Travell & Simons, 1983). The reported prevalence of MPS varies greatly, ranging from between 5% to 93% of the population (Auleciems, 1995, Fomby, 1997, Simons, 2000). This variance is due in part to non-uniform diagnostic criteria (Simons, 2000), lack of satisfactory laboratory or imaging tests (Simons, 2000) and more simply, because of the sheer number and locations that TrPs can manifest in the body.A large quantity of published research exists on TrPs and MPS in the upper body, with relatively little attention devoted to the lower extremity. In most undergraduate courses in podiatry there is often little training in the diagnosis or management of MPS. Despite this, it remains an important differential diagnosis to consider in patients with persistent pain that has defied 'appropriate' treatment.
The main purpose of this project is to give podiatrists a simple and concise overview on how to diagnose the more common TrPs in the leg and foot. It will also cover in brief the fundamentals of MPS, its aetiology, differential diagnoses and treatment options, with special reference on the use of orthoses in the management of the condition.
