Background: The only three randomized trials on the treatment of MTSS were all performed in military\r\npopulations. The treatment options investigated in this study were not previously examined in athletes. This study\r\ninvestigated if functional outcome of three common treatment options for medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) in\r\nathletes in a non-military setting was the same.\r\nMethods: The study design was randomized and multi-centered. Physical therapists and sports physicians referred\r\nathletes with MTSS to the hospital for inclusion. 81 athletes were assessed for eligibility of which 74 athletes were\r\nincluded and randomized to three treatment groups. Group one performed a graded running program, group two\r\nperformed a graded running program with additional stretching and strengthening exercises for the calves, while\r\ngroup three performed a graded running program with an additional sports compression stocking. The primary\r\noutcome measure was: time to complete a running program (able to run 18 minutes with high intensity) and\r\nsecondary outcome was: general satisfaction with treatment.\r\nResults: 74 Athletes were randomized and included of which 14 did not complete the study due a lack of\r\nprogress (18.9%). The data was analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Time to complete a running program and\r\ngeneral satisfaction with the treatment were not significantly different between the three treatment groups.\r\nConclusion: This was the first randomized trial on the treatment of MTSS in athletes in a non-military setting. No\r\ndifferences were found between the groups for the time to complete a running program.
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