During a physical activity, such as a sport or even a workout, a person can develop a condition called exercise-induced compartment syndrome. This condition is characterized by pain over the front of the shin bone. It can also cause numbness and weakness in the structures beyond the injury site.
Pain over the front of the shin bone
Symptoms of exercise-induced compartment syndrome include pain in the front of the shin bone. The pain may start during exercise and may last for several days. The pain may also occur on the outer side of the leg, though this is not always the case.
The symptoms of compartment syndrome vary based on which compartment is affected. Pain is usually the worst in the lateral compartments, which are on the meaty part of the shin. If the pain persists, you may have a stress fracture. You should contact a physician right away.
You may also have an MRI to rule out other conditions. An X-ray is also a good idea, although not all fractures will show up on the X-ray. Symptoms of compartment syndrome may also be apparent on an MRI.
The pressure within a muscle compartment is measured using a special needle attached to a measuring device. The pressure increases dramatically after you exercise.
The pressure increases because the muscles are surrounded by a fairly inflexible tissue called fascia. It has enough room for them to function, but too much pressure can reduce blood flow and thereby prevent nourishment from reaching the cells.
Other symptoms include a tingling or burning sensation in the area. Numbness or paralysis may also be present. You may be unable to walk or run without assistance, though this does not necessarily mean that you are experiencing compartment syndrome.
There are several treatments for compartment syndrome. The first step is to rest from exercise. A stretching program can also help relieve symptoms. You may also want to wear supportive shoes, which will reduce the stress on your shin bone. You may also consider orthotics to help reduce stress on your muscles.
A skin graft may be used in some cases to treat acute compartment syndrome. However, this method may also lead to ulcers and bleeding. You should also remove any casts that may be causing pressure in the area.
You may be able to treat chronic compartment syndrome with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, or shoe inserts. You may also need surgery in more severe cases.
Numbness and weakness in the structures beyond the injury site
During exercise, a muscle compartment may become constricted or swollen. This can lead to pain and numbness. If left untreated, these symptoms can cause irreversible damage to the muscle or nerves.
Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency. It is most often caused by a severe injury or fracture. The swelling in the compartment puts pressure on the capillaries that supply blood to the muscle cells. Without a steady supply of oxygen and blood, the cells can die. If not treated, this can lead to numbness and weakness in the muscles and nerves in the surrounding structures.
Symptoms may include pain that is out of proportion to the injury, numbness, paresthesias, or paralysis. A doctor will perform physical examinations and blood tests to confirm a diagnosis. If symptoms persist, surgery may be necessary to alleviate the pressure in the muscle compartment.
A sterile needle is inserted into the muscle compartment and a pressure monitoring device is attached. A doctor may take pre- and post-exercise measurements to determine if the pressure is too high. If the pressure is too high, the pain associated with the muscle compartment will be severe.
Acute compartment syndrome is usually caused by a crush injury, a stress fracture, or an injury resulting in bleeding. Symptoms may also occur after a cast is put on. A doctor may also use a skin graft to relieve the pain.
Usually, the pain associated with compartment syndrome is felt in the anterior compartment of the lower leg. However, compartment syndrome can also occur in the foot and hand. Athletes with chronic compartment syndrome may experience pain during exercise and may have a hard time moving their feet.
A surgical procedure called a fasciotomy is often used to treat acute compartment syndrome. During the procedure, a surgeon makes long incisions through the skin and cuts out part of the fascia covering the muscle compartment. This helps to open up the fascia and release excess pressure.
An advanced MRI scan is sometimes used to measure the amount of fluid in a muscle compartment. This helps to determine if there is a decrease in blood flow to the muscle. It is also helpful to rule out other causes of symptoms.
Chronic compartment syndrome
Runners, cyclists, skiers, and other athletes are at risk for developing exercise-induced chronic compartment syndrome. This condition occurs when a muscle is injured or torn. It results in decreased blood flow to the muscle. This decreases the flow of oxygen and nutrition to the muscle and can lead to a variety of symptoms.
Exercise-induced compartment syndrome may be treated with nonsurgical methods, including physical therapy and orthotics. A variety of surgical procedures are also used to treat this condition. One procedure is a fasciotomy, which is a surgical cut that helps to ease the pressure in the compartment. It also relieves swelling.
Other treatments for exercise-induced chronic compartment syndrome include icing and anti-inflammatory medication. If the muscle is inflamed, the doctor may also examine the tendons to rule out tendonitis or stress fracture.
In addition, the doctor may use magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the muscle. This test can be used to diagnose muscle injuries, as well as to detect a variety of musculoskeletal tumours.
In addition to being a medical emergency, compartment syndrome can also be a painful condition. Symptoms include pain, cramping, and weakness. It can also lead to permanent damage to an extremity. This condition can occur anywhere in the body, but it is most commonly found in the lower leg.
The most common symptoms of exercise-induced chronic compartment syndrome are pain with exertion and cramping. This condition occurs most commonly in runners and cyclists, but it can also occur in skiers.
The symptoms of exercise-induced compartment syndrome usually disappear when the muscle volume returns to normal. It is important to get treatment for this condition early. It is also important to avoid activities that may cause pain.
Compartment syndrome can be caused by a variety of injuries, including muscle tears, muscle hernias, and tendon injuries. The doctor may also perform X-rays to rule out stress fractures or tendonitis.
A diagnosis of exercise-induced compartment syndrome must be made quickly, as it can lead to a variety of problems. Delaying diagnosis or treatment can cause permanent damage to an extremity and lead to Volkmanna’s contractures, limb loss, and other complications.
Treatment options
Symptoms of exercise-induced compartment syndrome (EICS) include pain during activity, cramping, numbness, or weakness. The pain and cramping may be localized, but may also be recurrent, severe, or disabling. The pain usually resolves when the activity stops.
Exercise-induced compartment syndrome is caused by an increase in pressure within a muscle compartment. This pressure causes inflammation, pain, and nerve damage. If left untreated, the condition can cause permanent nerve damage. This condition usually occurs in the lower leg but can occur in other areas of the body.
When a person is diagnosed with CECS, the first step is to prevent the condition from occurring. This may be done through the use of a splint or cast. If the pain persists, you should contact a medical professional. The healthcare professional can suggest strategies to help you feel better.
In addition, you may be prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are taken orally. These drugs may be used to reduce swelling and pain, but they may not allow you to return to your full activity level.
Another option is surgery. In the case of acute compartment syndrome, surgery involves cutting the skin and fascia surrounding the affected compartment. This surgery will relieve the pressure within the compartment. The surgeon may use a skin graft to close the incision. This surgery also has a risk of damaging small nerves.
A diagnosis of chronic exertional compartment syndrome can be made by measuring pressures within the affected compartment after exercise. The pressure measurements are usually taken in each compartment in the affected limb.
An advanced MRI scan can evaluate the fluid volumes within the compartments during exercise. The muscle structure in the compartments can also be determined. Some patients may also receive hyperbaric oxygen as an adjunct treatment.
Surgery is sometimes needed to treat exercise-induced compartment syndrome. During this procedure, the surgeon will cut the tight fascia surrounding the muscle compartment. This will give more room for the muscle to swell.
The surgery may be considered if you have a high risk of developing compartment syndrome. This includes individuals who take anticoagulants or anabolic steroids. These medications may cause bleeding into the compartment.