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Chronic exertional compartment syndrome

Overview

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome is an exercise-induced muscle and nerve condition that causes pain, swelling and sometimes disability in the affected muscles of your legs or arms. Anyone can develop the condition, but it's more common in athletes who participate in activities that involve repetitive impact, such as running.

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome may respond to non-operative treatment and activity modification. If non-operative treatment doesn't help, your doctor might recommend surgery. Surgery is successful for many people, and might allow you to return to your sport.

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Symptoms & causes
Feb. 12, 2016
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References
  1. Meehan WP. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome. www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Dec. 3, 2015.
  2. George CA, et al. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome. Clinics in Sports Medicine. 2012;31:307.
  3. Compartment syndrome. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00204. Accessed Dec. 3, 2015.
  4. Rajasekaran S, et al. Exertional leg pain. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. 2016;27:91.
  5. Ringler MD, et al. MRI accurately detects chronic exertional compartment syndrome: A validation study. Skeletal Radiology. 2013;42:385.

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Chronic exertional compartment syndrome

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