Posterior tibialis tendonopathy in an adolescent soccer player: a case report.

OBJECTIVE Detail the progress of an adolescent soccer player with right-sided chronic medial foot pain due to striking an opponent's leg while kicking the ball. The patient underwent diagnostic ultrasound and a conservative treatment plan. CLINICAL FEATURES The most important features were hindfoot varus, forefoot abduction, flatfoot deformity, and inability to single leg heel raise due to pain. Conventional treatment was aimed at decreasing hypertonicity and improving function of the posterior tibialis muscle and tendon. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME Conservative treatment approach utilized soft tissue therapy in the form of Active Release Technique(®), and eccentric exercises designed to focus on the posterior tibial muscle and lower limb stability. Outcome measures included subjective pain ratings, and resisted muscle testing. CONCLUSION A patient with posterior tibialis tendonopathy due to injury while playing soccer was relieved of his pain after 4 treatments over 4 weeks of soft tissue therapy and rehabilitative exercises focusing on the lower limb, specifically the posterior tibialis muscle.