Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) with our engaging quiz. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and detailed explanations, to boost your confidence and ace the exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


A term for an overuse condition that affects the anterior or posterior regions of the lower leg is__________.

  1. shin splints

  2. gout

  3. tarsal tunnel syndrome

  4. piriformis entrapment

The correct answer is: shin splints

Shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome, refer specifically to the pain and soreness along the shinbone (tibia) caused by repetitive stress or overuse, commonly seen in athletes or individuals who engage in high-impact activities. This condition typically affects the anterior region of the lower leg but can also impact the posterior area. The symptoms arise from inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue in the affected area due to excessive strain. Other conditions listed, such as gout, primarily involve joint inflammation due to uric acid crystal deposits and commonly affect places like the big toe rather than the lower leg. Tarsal tunnel syndrome relates to nerve compression in the ankle, leading to pain and numbness in the foot, and piriformis entrapment typically refers to sciatica-like symptoms due to the piriformis muscle compressing the sciatic nerve, which is not specific to overuse of the lower leg muscles. Therefore, the most accurate term for an overuse condition affecting the anterior or posterior regions of the lower leg is indeed shin splints.