Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Compartment Syndromes of Thigh and Lower Leg

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Sports Injuries

  • 252 Accesses

Abstract

Compartment syndromes of the leg are a common problem in sports traumatology. The condition can be caused by a direct trauma (acute compartment syndrome) or can be exercise induced (exertional compartment syndrome). In both conditions, tissue pressures within an osteofascial envelope are elevated to supraphysiologic levels, resulting in inadequate perfusion and ischemia-related symptoms. Surgical release of the involved compartment envelope is the mainstay of treatment in acute and chronic complaints.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 699.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 999.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amendola A, Rorabeck CH, Vellett D, Vezina W, Rutt B, Nott L (1990) The use of magnetic resonance imaging in exertional compartment syndromes. Am J Sports Med 18(1):29–34

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes M (1997) Diagnosis and management of chronic compartment syndromes: a review of the literature. Br J Sports Med 31(1):21–27

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bauer RK F, Poisel S (1990) In: Bauer RK F, Poisel S (eds) Operative Zugangswege in Orthopädie und Traumatologie, 2nd edn. Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Biedert RM, Marti B (1997) Intracompartmental pressure before and after fasciotomy in runners with chronic deep posterior compartment syndrome. Int J Sports Med 18(5):381–386. doi:10.1055/s-2007-972650

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blackman PG (2000) A review of chronic exertional compartment syndrome in the lower leg. Med Sci Sports Exerc 32(3 Suppl):S4–S10

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blackman P (2010) Shin pain in athletes – assessment and management. Aust Fam Physician 39(1–2):24–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Boland MR, Heck C (2009) Acute exercise-induced bilateral thigh compartment syndrome. Orthopedics 32(3):218

    Google Scholar 

  • Bong MR, Polatsch DB, Jazrawi LM, Rokito AS (2005) Chronic exertional compartment syndrome: diagnosis and management. Bull Hosp Jt Dis 62(3–4):77–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Brennan FH Jr, Kane SF (2003) Diagnosis, treatment options, and rehabilitation of chronic lower leg exertional compartment syndrome. Curr Sports Med Rep 2(5):247–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown RR, Rosenberg ZS (2001) MR imaging of exercise-induced lower leg pain. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 9(3):544–547

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chun YS, Shim HS (2010) Calcific myonecrosis of the antetibial area. Clin Orthop Surg 2(3):191–194. doi:10.4055/cios.2010.2.3.191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colosimo AJ, Ireland ML (1992) Thigh compartment syndrome in a football athlete: a case report and review of the literature. Med Sci Sports Exerc 24(9):958–963

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cook S, Bruce G (2002) Fasciotomy for chronic compartment syndrome in the lower limb. ANZ J Surg 72(10):720–723

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davey JR, Rorabeck CH, Fowler PJ (1984) The tibialis posterior muscle compartment. An unrecognized cause of exertional compartment syndrome. Am J Sports Med 12(5):391–397

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • de Fijter WM, Scheltinga MR, Luiting MG (2006) Minimally invasive fasciotomy in chronic exertional compartment syndrome and fascial hernias of the anterior lower leg: short- and long-term results. Mil Med 171(5):399–403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Detmer DE, Sharpe K, Sufit RL, Girdley FM (1985) Chronic compartment syndrome: diagnosis, management, and outcomes. Am J Sports Med 13(3):162–170

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diebal AR, Gregory R, Alitz C, Gerber JP (2012) Forefoot running improves pain and disability associated with chronic exertional compartment syndrome. Am J Sports Med 40(5):1060–1067. doi:10.1177/0363546512439182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards P, Myerson MS (1996) Exertional compartment syndrome of the leg: steps for expedient return to activity. Phys Sports Med 24(4):31–46. doi:10.3810/psm.1996.04.1304

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Engelhardt MK, M; Lorbach, O (2011) The skeletal muscle. In: Engelhardt MD, A. (ed) Sports orthopedics. Medizin edn. NEUNPLUS 1, pp 323–332

    Google Scholar 

  • Englund J (2005) Chronic compartment syndrome: tips on recognizing and treating. J Fam Pract 54(11):955–960

    Google Scholar 

  • Eskelin MK, Lotjonen JM, Mantysaari MJ (1998) Chronic exertional compartment syndrome: MR imaging at 0.1 T compared with tissue pressure measurement. Radiology 206(2):333–337

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frink M, Hildebrand F, Krettek C, Brand J, Hankemeier S (2010) Compartment syndrome of the lower leg and foot. Clin Orthop Relat Res 468(4):940–950. doi:10.1007/s11999-009-0891-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldfarb SJ, Kaeding CC (1997) Bilateral acute-on-chronic exertional lateral compartment syndrome of the leg: a case report and review of the literature. Clin J Sport Med Off J Can Acad Sports Med 7(1):59–61, discussion 62

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gray’s anatomy (2005). In: The anatomical basis of clinical practice. 39th edn. Elsevier Churchill Livingstone. London, UK, p 1627

    Google Scholar 

  • Holbein O, Strecker W, Rath SA, Kinzl L (2000) Compartment syndrome of the thigh with sciatic nerve paralysis. Unfallchirurg 103(4):275–280

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Howard JL, Mohtadi NG, Wiley JP (2000) Evaluation of outcomes in patients following surgical treatment of chronic exertional compartment syndrome in the leg. Clin J Sport Med Off J Can Acad Sports Med 10(3):176–184

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson MR, Bederka B, Kopplin M (2003) Anatomic structures at risk during minimal-incision endoscopically assisted fascial compartment releases in the leg. Am J Sports Med 31(5):764–769

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jerosch J (2001) Das funktionelle Kompartmentsyndrom im Sport. Deutsche Zeitschrift für Sportmedizin 52:142–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanlic EM, Pinski SE, Verwiebe EG, Saller J, Smith WR (2010) Acute morbidity and complications of thigh compartment syndrome: a report of 26 cases. Patient Safety Surg 4(1):13. doi:10.1186/1754-9493-4-13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitajima I, Tachibana S, Hirota Y, Nakamichi K, Miura K (2001) One-portal technique of endoscopic fasciotomy: chronic compartment syndrome of the lower leg. Artrosc J Artrosc Relat Surg: Off Publ Artrosc Assoc N Am Int Artrosc Assoc 17(8):33

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klasson SC, Vander Schilden JL (1990) Acute anterior thigh compartment syndrome complicating quadriceps hematoma. Two case reports and review of the literature. Orthop Rev 19(5):421–427

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kuri JA 2nd, Difelice GS (2006) Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh following rupture of the quadriceps tendon. J Bone Joint Surg Am 88(2):418–420. doi:10.2106/JBJS.D.03048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lauder TD, Stuart MJ, Amrami KK, Felmlee JP (2002) Exertional compartment syndrome and the role of magnetic resonance imaging. Am J Phys Med Rehabil Assoc Acad Physiatrists 81(4):315–319

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leversedge FJ, Casey PJ, Seiler JG 3rd, Xerogeanes JW (2002) Endoscopically assisted fasciotomy: description of technique and in vitro assessment of lower-leg compartment decompression. Am J Sports Med 30(2):272–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Litwiller DV, Amrami KK, Dahm DL, Smith J, Laskowski ER, Stuart MJ, Felmlee JP (2007) Chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the lower extremities: improved screening using a novel dual birdcage coil and in-scanner exercise protocol. Skelet Radiol 36(11):1067–1075. doi:10.1007/s00256-007-0360-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matsen FA 3, Winquist RA, Krugmire RB Jr (1980) Diagnosis and management of compartmental syndromes. J Bone Joint Surg Am 62(2):286–291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mouhsine E, Garofalo R, Moretti B, Gremion G, Akiki A (2006) Two minimal incision fasciotomy for chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the lower leg. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Artrosc Off J ESSKA 14(2):193–197. doi:10.1007/s00167-004-0613-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murdock M, Murdoch MM (2012) Compartment syndrome: a review of the literature. Clin Podiatr Med Surg 29(2):301–310. doi:10.1016/j.cpm.2012.02.001, viii

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ojike NI, Roberts CS, Giannoudis PV (2010) Compartment syndrome of the thigh: a systematic review. Injury 41(2):133–136. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2009.03.016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ota Y, Senda M, Hashizume H, Inoue H (1999) Chronic compartment syndrome of the lower leg: a new diagnostic method using near-infrared spectroscopy and a new technique of endoscopic fasciotomy. Artrosc J Artrosc Relat Surg: Off Publ Artrosc Assoc N Am Int Artrosc Assoc 15(4):439–443

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Padhiar N, Allen M, King JB (2009) Chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the foot. Sports Med Artrosc Rev 17(3):198–202. doi:10.1097/JSA.0b013e3181a6a263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pyne D, Jawad AS, Padhiar N (2003) Saphenous nerve injury after fasciotomy for compartment syndrome. Br J Sports Med 37(6):541–542

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shah SN, Miller BS, Kuhn JE (2004) Chronic exertional compartment syndrome. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ) 33(7):335–341

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon RSS, Koenigsknecht S (2007) Compartment syndrome. In: Simon RSS, Koenigsknecht S (eds) Emergency orthopedics -the extremities. Mc Graw Hill, New York, pp 76–78, 441–443

    Google Scholar 

  • Stickley CD, Hetzler RK, Kimura IF, Lozanoff S (2009) Crural fascia and muscle origins related to medial tibial stress syndrome symptom location. Med Sci Sports Exerc 41(11):1991–1996. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181a6519c

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoller DW (2006) Diagnostic imaging orthopedics. In: Stoller DW, Tirman PFJ, Bredella MA, Beltran S, Branstetter RM III, Blease SCP (eds) Diagnostic imaging orthopedics, 3rd edn. Amirsys, Salt Lake City

    Google Scholar 

  • Trease L, van Every B, Bennell K, Brukner P, Rynderman J, Baldey A, Turlakow A, Kelly MJ (2001) A prospective blinded evaluation of exercise thallium-201 SPET in patients with suspected chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the leg. Eur J Nucl Med 28(6):688–695

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker AK (2010) Chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the leg. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 3(1–4):32–37. doi:10.1007/s12178-010-9065-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tzortziou V, Maffulli N, Padhiar N (2006) Diagnosis and management of chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) in the United Kingdom. Clin J Sport Med Off J Can Acad Sports Med 16(3):209–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van den Brand JG, Nelson T, Verleisdonk EJ, van der Werken C (2005) The diagnostic value of intracompartmental pressure measurement, magnetic resonance imaging, and near-infrared spectroscopy in chronic exertional compartment syndrome: a prospective study in 50 patients. Am J Sports Med 33(5):699–704. doi:10.1177/0363546504270565

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verleisdonk EJ, van Gils A, van der Werken C (2001) The diagnostic value of MRI scans for the diagnosis of chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the lower leg. Skelet Radiol 30(6):321–325

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilder RP, Magrum E (2010) Exertional compartment syndrome. Clin Sports Med 29(3):429–435. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2010.03.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopedics & Sport Traumatology, Sportclinic Villa Linde AG, Swiss Olympic Medical Center Magglingen-Biel, Biel, Switzerland

    Roland M. Biedert

Authors
  1. Roland M. Biedert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roland M. Biedert .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology and Department of Sports Medicine, Hacettepe University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Mahmut Nedim Doral

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Jon Karlsson

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Biedert, R.M. (2015). Compartment Syndromes of Thigh and Lower Leg. In: Doral, M.N., Karlsson, J. (eds) Sports Injuries. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36569-0_177

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36569-0_177

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-36568-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-36569-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation