scholarly journals Effects of anterior compartment fasciotomy on intramuscular compartment pressure in patients with chronic exertional compartment syndrome

2018 ◽  
Vol 164 (5) ◽  
pp. 338-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Roscoe ◽  
A J Roberts ◽  
D Hulse ◽  
A F Shaheen ◽  
M P Hughes ◽  
...  

BackgroundPatients with chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) have pain during exercise that usually subsides at rest. Diagnosis is usually confirmed by measurement of intramuscular compartment pressure (IMCP) following exclusion of other possible causes. Management usually requires fasciotomy but reported outcomes vary widely. There is little evidence of the effectiveness of fasciotomy on IMCP. Testing is rarely repeated postoperatively and reported follow-up is poor. Improved diagnostic criteria based on preselection and IMCP levels during dynamic exercise testing have recently been reported.Objectives(1) To compare IMCP in three groups, one with classical symptoms and no treatment and the other with symptoms of CECS who have been treated with fasciotomy and an asymptomatic control group. (2) Establish if differences in IMCP in these groups as a result of fasciotomy relate to functional and symptomatic improvement.MethodsTwenty subjects with symptoms of CECS of the anterior compartment, 20 asymptomatic controls and 20 patients who had undergone fasciotomy for CECS were compared. All other possible diagnoses were excluded using rigorous inclusion criteria and MRI. Dynamic IMCP was measured using an electronic catheter wire before, during and after participants exercised on a treadmill during a standardised 15 min exercise challenge. Statistical analysis included t-tests and analysis of variance.ResultsFasciotomy results in reduced IMCP at all time points during a standardised exercise protocol compared with preoperative cases. In subjects responding to fasciotomy, there is a significant reduction in IMCP below that of preoperative groups (P<0.001). Postoperative responders to fasciotomy have no significant differences in IMCP from asymptomatic controls (P=0.182).ConclusionFasciotomy reduces IMCP in all patients. Larger studies are required to confirm that the reduction in IMCP accounts for differences in functional outcomes and pain reductions seen in postoperative patients with CECS.

Hand ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. NP58-NP61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Miller ◽  
Anna L. Cobb ◽  
Tyson K. Cobb

Background: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) of the forearm is traditionally treated with open compartment release requiring large incisions that can result in less than optimal esthetic results. The purpose of this study is to describe a case report of 2 professional motocross patients with forearm CECS treated endoscopically using a minimally invasive technique. Methods: Two professional motocross racers presented with a history of chronic proximal volar forearm pain when motocross riding. Other symptoms included paresthesia and weakness, which, at times, led to an inability to continue riding. Both failed conservative management. Compartment pressure measurements were performed before and after provocative exercises to confirm diagnosis of CECS. Release of both the volar and dorsal compartments was performed endoscopically through a single incision. Results: Symptoms resolved after surgery. The first patient resumed riding at 1 week, competing at 3 weeks, and continues to ride competitively without symptoms at 3 years postoperative. The second patient began riding at 1 week and won second place in the National Supercross finals 5 weeks after simultaneous bilateral release. Conclusions: This technique is simple and effective. The cannula used protects the superficial nerves while allowing release through a small, cosmetically pleasing incision.


2019 ◽  
Vol 166 (E) ◽  
pp. e17-e20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Simpson ◽  
D Roscoe ◽  
S Hughes ◽  
D Hulse ◽  
H Guthrie

IntroductionChronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) presents with pain during exercise, most commonly within the anterior compartment of the lower limb. A diagnosis is classically made from a typical history and the measurement of intramuscular compartmental pressure (IMCP) testing. Improved, more specific diagnostic criteria for IMCP testing allow clinicians to now be more certain of a diagnosis of CECS. Outcomes following surgical treatment in patients diagnosed using these more robust criteria are unknown.MethodsAll patients undergoing fasciectomy for anterior compartment CECS at a single rehabilitation unit were identified between 2014 and 2017. Wilcoxen signed-rank test was used to compare military fitness grading and paired t-test was used to compare Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, FAAM Sport Specific and Exercise-Induced LimbPain-G outcome measures, presurgery and postsurgery.ResultsThere was a significant difference in fitness grading between presurgical and postsurgical intervention (Z = −2.68, p < 0.01) with 46 % of patients improving their occupational medical grading. All secondary measures of outcome, looking at clinical symptoms, also improved.ConclusionAlmost half of the patients undergoing fasciectomy, following diagnosis using more specific criteria, will have an improvement in occupational medical grading. These outcomes represent the lower end of those reported in civilian populations. This is likely a result of a combination of factors, most notably the different diagnostic criteria followed and the more stringent criteria applied to military occupational grading, compared with civilian practice. Further work is now required to evaluate the impact of differing rehabilitation regimes on postoperative patients identified through this more specific diagnostic testing.


2011 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 413-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Brown ◽  
P. C. Wheeler ◽  
K. T. Boyd ◽  
M. R. Barnes ◽  
M. J. Allen

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm is rare in the published literature. We report the outcome of a series of 12 patients treated with fasciotomy over a 14 year period. All patients underwent dynamic intra-compartmental pressure testing using a slit catheter technique before surgery. Raised intra-compartmental pressures on exercise, typical symptoms and the absence of other diagnoses were criteria for offering surgical intervention. The superficial flexor, deep flexor and extensor compartments were released. Median follow-up was 9.5 years (range 7 months to 12 years). Median patient-reported percentage improvement after surgery was 88% (range 0%–100%). Median time to return to full activity was 9 weeks. Eleven out of 12 patients were satisfied, very satisfied or extremely satisfied with the outcome of surgery. Fasciotomy can be an effective treatment for chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. Bresnahan ◽  
William L. Hennrikus

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a relatively rare condition that affects young adult athletes and often causes them to present to the emergency department. If left untreated, those who continue to compete at high levels may experience debilitating leg pain. Physicians may have difficulty differentiating CECS from other syndromes of the lower leg such as medial tibial stress syndrome, stress fractures, and popliteal artery entrapment. The gold standard for diagnosing CECS is intramuscular compartment pressure monitoring before and/or after 10 minutes of exercise. Some patients may choose to stop participation in sports in order to relieve their pain, which otherwise does not respond well to nonoperative treatments. In patients who wish to continue to participate in sports and live an active life, fasciotomy provides relief in 80% or more. The typical athlete can return to training in about 8 weeks. This is a case of a high school soccer player who stopped competing due to chronic exertional compartment syndrome. She had a fascial hernia, resting intramuscular pressure of 30 mmHg, and postexercise intramuscular pressure of 99 mmHg. Following fasciotomy she experienced considerable life improvement and is once again training and playing soccer without symptoms.


1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
MB Mollica

The author describes a case of chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the foot affecting a 19-year-old male triathlete. Relevant anatomy, subjective symptoms, and clinical examination are discussed. Diagnostic confirmation, as achieved with compartment-pressure testing, is also presented, as is surgical treatment through decompressive fasciotomy of the affected compartment.


2022 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-03
Author(s):  
Phillip J Stokey ◽  
Sreeram Ravi ◽  
Ethan R Sawyer ◽  
Trevor T Bouck ◽  
Nabil A Ebraheim

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a serious, yet underdiagnosed condition that can cause severe lower extremity pain in running athletes. CECS is a transient increase in compartment pressure leading to severe pain, paresthesia, and vascular compromise. Understanding the detailed anatomy is paramount to proper diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis is made with measuring compartments pressures before and after exercise at certain time intervals. When properly diagnosed and treated, CECS can be appropriately managed and patients can return to their previous level of activity.


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