Chronic compartment syndrome also affects nonathletic subjects: a prospective study of 63 cases with exercise-induced lower leg pain.
BACKGROUND
Chronic exertional compartment syndrome is most often reported in young and physically active people.


METHODS
We studied 73 consecutive patients (mean age 39 (16-77) years, 45 women) with a history of exercise-induced pain and suspicion of chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) of the lower leg--clinically, radiographically and with intramuscular pressure measurements.


RESULTS
Intramuscular pressure increased with reproduction of symptoms and fulfilled the criteria for diagnosis of CECS in 36 patients (mean age 36 (16-65) years, 22 women), with engagement of 66 anterior, 2 lateral and 7 posterior muscle compartments in 72 legs. The patients with CECS of the lower leg were divided into 4 etiological groups: 18 with overuse, 10 with earlier trauma, 4 insulin-treated diabetics, and 4 others. Two-thirds of the patients had pain during walking. The outcome after fasciotomy was excellent or good in 41/57 of the legs.


CONCLUSIONS
CECS of the lower leg probably has a multifactorial etiology and is more common in sedentary individuals than has been recognized previously. Fasciotomy appears to be beneficial in these cases also.
Edmundsson
David
D
Department of Surgery and Perioperative Science (Orthopaedics), Umeå University, Umeå, SE-901 85, Sweden. david.edmundsson@orthop.umu.se
Toolanen
Göran
G
Sojka
Peter
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000868:Anterior Compartment Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies