Short-Term Results of a Rehabilitation Program for Service Members With Lower Leg Pain and the Evaluation of Patient Characteristics.

INTRODUCTION

Lower leg pain (LLP), including medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) and chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS), remains a major problem for the military.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of patient characteristics and short-term results of the rehabilitation program for service members used in the Military Rehabilitation Centre Aardenburg.

METHODS

This retrospective study includes 161 service members of the Netherlands Armed Forces. Service members were grouped into the following diagnostic categories: MTSS (n = 47), conservative treatment of CECS (n = 34), and rehabilitation after operative intervention of the CECS (CECSo; n = 80).

RESULTS

The results showed a significant improvement in all groups regarding the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS). Only the CECSo group showed significant improvement on the Numeric Pain Rating Score (NPRS). None of the patient characteristics like gender, age, military service, duration of symptoms, and treatment setting were identified to correlate with outcome results.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term results of the rehabilitation program for service members with LLP are successful as obtained with the PSFS. Evaluation by the NPRS seems insufficient and researchers should consider using other outcome measurements. The CECSo group seems to benefit the most from the rehabilitation program. No patient characteristics could be identified to correlate with outcome results.