Abstract
Running is considered to be one of the most popular forms of exercise. Although it is very popular, this sport predisposes the body to risk of injury. Risk factors contributing to injury of the lower extremities were considered to be short and long-distance running, running technique, abnormal biomechanics, incorrect shoe design, weak or fatigued musculature. One very common injury in runners was achilles-tendinitis. This was mainly due to repetitive overloading. If the function of the gastrocnemius-soleus complex was impaired e.g. weak or fatigued, the muscle would no longer be able to protect the tendon, rendering it vulnerable to injury. Overuse of the gastrocnemius-soleus complex could cause micro-tearing and may result in myofascial trigger point formation. This meant that the muscles contractility became impaired, putting more stress on the achilles tendon, which could cause pain for the runner. Two proposed methods for treatment of gastrocnemius myofascial trigger points were radial shockwave therapy, and dynamic oscillatory stretching. Method: A total of 30 participants were recruited for a quasi-experimental study design, and each participant was selected based on the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Participants were randomly assigned into 3 groups, group A, B or C of 10 participants each. Group A received shockwave therapy. Group B received dynamic oscillatory stretching (DOS), and group C was a combination group. This research was conducted over a sixtreatment protocol. Measurement was done prior to first treatment, fourth treatment as well as measurement one week after the last treatment. Results were based on the objective data obtained from the change in angle of ankle dorsiflexion by means of a digital inclinometer, as well as subjective data obtained using Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). vii Results: By doing an intergroup analysis, it was shown that there was a statistical significance in the differences in objective data collected between visit 1, 4 & 7. The greatest increase of range of motion from visit 1 to 4 was found in the DOS group, whereas from visit 1 to 7, the shockwave group continued showing an increased range of motion. The DOS group started showing a decrease in range of motion at visit 7. Subjective data was gathered from each participant using the NPRS. This was used to assess each participant’s pain level at visits 1, 4 and 7. The most improvement regarding pain was found in the DOS group. Conclusion: The study shows evidence that both DOS therapy, as well as shockwave therapy, have positive effects regarding an increase in range of motion, and a reduction in pain in the ankle joint. However, the combination of DOS and shockwave therapy showed to be less effective than the above treatments on their own.
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)