title: Ultrasound-Guided Fasciotomy for   Anterior Chronic Exertional   Compartment Syndrome of the Leg.
abstract: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome is characterized by exertional pain and elevated intracompartmental pressures affecting the leg in physically active young people. In patients who have failed conservative measures, fasciotomy is the treatment of choice. This study presents a new method for performing fasciotomy using high-resolution ultrasound (US) guidance and reports on the clinical outcomes in a group of these patients. Over a 3-year period, 7 consecutive patients with a total of 9 involved legs presented clinically with anterior compartment chronic exertional compartment syndrome, which was confirmed by intracompartmental pressure measurements before and after exercise. After a US examination, fasciotomy under US guidance was performed. Preoperative and postoperative pain and activity levels were assessed as well as number of days needed to “return to play.” All patients had a decrease in pain, and all except 1 returned to presymptomatic exercise levels with a median return to play of 35 days.
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balius
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Bong
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ardèvol
authors.forename: Carles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pedret
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Codina
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dalmau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005205:Fascia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000071938:Fasciotomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005082:Physical Exertion; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult