6.5 TIBIALIS POSTERIOR
6.5 TIBIALIS POSTERIOR
Figure 8. Pain pattern referred from a TrP at its usual location in tibialis posterior (Travell & Simons, 1992).
Symptoms• Patient will usually complain of pain in the sole of the foot and achilles tendon during ambulation.
• Symptoms are exacerbated by walking or running on uneven surfaces.
Trigger Point Examination
• TrPs lie deep to the gastrocnemius and soleus and are only palpable indirectly.
• They can be palpated with a medial or posterior approach.
Associated Trigger Points
• Commonly occur in flexor digitorum and flexor hallucis longus.
• The peroneal muscles should also be examined as they often contain active TrPs when tibialis posterior is involved.
Differential Diagnoses
• Deep posterior compartment syndrome
• Tibialis posterior tendonitis
• Achilles tendonitis
© Zak Zisopoulos & Adam Bird, 2000.