Short term effectevness of tibial nerve flossing technique in patients With tarsal tunnel syndrome

Abstract

Objective

To examine the short-term influence of adding tibial nerve flossing (TNF) technique to conventional therapy on foot pain, Dorsiflexion-Eversion (DF-E) test, ankle range of motion (ROM), and tibial nerve conduction study (NCS) in individuals with Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (TTS).

Methods

This was a parallel randomized pre-post-test single blinded controlled trial, included 54 individuals with TTS randomized into study and control groups. Both groups received conventional therapy including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), therapeutic ultrasound (US), gastrocnemius (GC) muscle stretching, and foot arches supports/wedges provided as needed with an additional (TNF) technique provided for the study group. The intervention was 3 days/week on alternate days, for a four-week duration. Pain severity and DF-E test as primary; ankle dorsiflexion ROM and tibial NCS as secondary measures, were collected pre- and post-treatment.

Results

Within-groups comparison showed a significant improvement in all tested variables. Post-treatment between-groups comparison showed a notably higher scores in favor for the study group (p < 0.05) except for the (DF-E) test (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Tibial nerve flossing is an effective adjunct to conventional therapy in improving foot pain, ankle ROM, and tibial nerve conduction in individuals with TTS.