ankle spine syndrome "raffet syndrome ii

Conditions: Chronic Ankle Injuries; Chronic Low-back Pain; Lumbar Disc Herniation; Calf Muscle Weakness

Summary: a case series aimed to describe a new clinical condition for the first time in the medical literature called ankle spine syndrome or "raffet syndrome ii". this syndrome was reported in 6 patients (2 males and 4 females) out of 1000 patients with a history of chronic ankle injuries affecting their calf muscles' strength throughout the last 3 years. the patients suffered from unresolved clbp with radiculopathy contralateral to their calf muscle atrophy (i.e., an ipsilateral calf muscle weakness induces contralateral lumbar radiculopathy) that did not respond to physical therapy or any medication for long.

there is a large body of research performed to investigate the etiology of contralateral radiculopathy. however, limited information exists to determine its incidence, underlying pathomechanics, and strategies for management. therefore, this case series aimed to describe a new clinical condition for the first time in the medical literature called ankle spine syndrome or "raffet syndrome ii". this syndrome was reported in 6 patients (2 males and 4 females) out of 1000 patients with a history of chronic ankle injuries affecting their calf muscles' strength throughout the last 3 years. the patients suffered from unresolved clbp with radiculopathy contralateral to their calf muscle atrophy (i.e., an ipsilateral calf muscle weakness induces contralateral lumbar radiculopathy) that did not respond to physical therapy or any medication for long. open and closed chain strengthening exercises for the calf muscle were performed. the strengthening exercises include; double leg calf raise (i.e., straight and bent knees), single leg calf raise (i.e., straight and bent knee), seated calf raise, and wall sit calf raise. the patients' long-term back pain and function resolved greatly. by including lumbar stabilization exercises, core training, and myofascial release therapy, the symptoms resolved completely. furthermore, with a follow-up after 6 months of a tailored home exercise program, the clinical outcome measures still resolved completely.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * clinical presentation of lumbar radicular pain (i.e., contralateral radiculopathy) was sharp, distinctive, shooting, or lancinating. it felt like a narrow band of pain (i.e., not more than 5-8 cm wide) throughout the length of the lower limb. it was experienced superficially and deeply. they had back pain intensity scores that ranged from 8 to 10 indicating a severe degree of pain during dynamic activity while almost all patients scored zero while resting our patients with this syndrome had functional disability scores that ranged from 10 to 22 indicating mild and moderate degrees of disability. had a history of physical therapy visits for back pain and sciatica at many specialized centers exclusion criteria: * pain score less than 8 functional disability scores less than 10 red flags as tumor or osteoprosis or bone infection previous back surgery

Keywords: ankle spine syndrome raffet syndrome ii contralateral lumber radiculopathy