Objectives: To investigate

if subjects with medial tibial stress syndrome demonstrate increased navicular drop and medial longitudinal-arch deformation during quiet standing and gait compared to healthy subjects,

Methods: Thirty subjects aged 20–32 yrs were included (15 with medial tibial stress syndrome and 15 controls). Navicular drop and medial longitudinal-arch deformation were measured during quiet standing with neutral and loaded foot using a ruler and digital photography. Medial longitudinal-arch deformation was measured during walking gait using 3-dimensional gait analysis.

Results: Subjects with medial tibial stress syndrome demonstrated a significantly larger navicular drop (mean ± 1 SD, 7.7 ± 3.1 mm) and medial longitudinal-arch deformation (5.9 ± 3.2 deg) during quiet standing compared to controls (5.0 ± 2.2 mm and 3.5 ± 2.6 deg, P < 0.05). Subjects with medial tibial stress syndrome also demonstrated significantly larger medial longitudinal-arch deformation (8.8 ± 1.8 deg) during gait compared to controls (7.1 ± 1.7 deg, P = 0.015). There was no correlation between medial longitudinal-arch deformation during quiet standing and gait in either of the two groups (r < 0.127, P > 0.653).

Conclusion: The subjects with medial tibial stress syndrome in this study demonstrated increased navicular drop and medial longitudinal-arch deformation during quiet standing and increased medial longitudinal-arch deformation during gait compared to healthy subjects. Medial longitudinal-arch deformation during quiet standing did not correlate with medial longitudinal-arch deformation during gait in either of the two groups.