title: Acute compartment syndrome after rupture of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle.
abstract: Rupture of the gastrocnemius muscle is an uncommon injury, with most cases occurring in athletically active individuals. The presentation of a gastrocnemius rupture is the acute onset of calf pain and subsequent ecchymosis. Most of these injuries can be treated symptomatically with good results. We present an unusual case of gastrocnemius muscle tear complicated by acute compartment syndrome. Physicians need to be aware of this potentially devastating complication of gastrocnemius rupture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of South Alabama, Mobile 36617, USA.
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Pearsall
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Caylor
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nimityongskul
mesh_terms: D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries*; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous