title: Chronic compartment syndrome: diagnosis, management, and outcomes.
abstract: A consecutive operative series of 100 patients with chronic compartment syndrome involving 233 compartments is reported. Seven of every eight were athletes, and runners predominated. Exercise-induced symptoms of consistently recurring tightness, aching (in some, sharp pains) in anatomically defined compartments were pathognomonic. Mean months of symptoms prior to operation was 22; median age was 26 years. Bilaterality occurred in 82. The distribution of compartments was: anterior, 39%; lateral, 12%; and posterior, 48%. Incidental compartment pressures were elevated (mean = 23 mmHg). Fasciotomy using local anesthesia was performed on 70 outpatients. At a median of 4.5 months, over 90% were cured or significantly improved in symptoms and/or function. Median time to walking unassisted was 2 days, and to resumption of conditioned running 21 days. Fasciotomy can be a safe, effective, and economical treatment for chronic compartment syndrome.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000868:Anterior Compartment Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008722:Methods; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013177:Sports