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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

A Novel Non-invasive Method for the Detection of Elevated Intra-compartmental Pressures of the Leg
Published on: May 31, 2019
Chronic compartment syndrome also affects nonathletic subjects: a prospective study of 63 cases with exercise-induced
David Edmundsson1, Göran Toolanen, Peter Sojka
1Department of Surgery and Perioperative Science (Orthopaedics), Umeå University, Umeå, SE-901 85, Sweden. david.edmundsson@orthop.umu.se
Background:
Chronic exertional compartment syndrome is most often reported in young and physically active people.
Patients And Methods:
We studied 73 consecutive patients (mean age 39 (16-77) years, 45 women) with a history of exercise-induced pain and suspicion of chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) of the lower leg--clinically, radiographically and with intramuscular pressure measurements.
Results:
Intramuscular pressure increased with reproduction of symptoms and fulfilled the criteria for diagnosis of CECS in 36 patients (mean age 36 (16-65) years, 22 women), with engagement of 66 anterior, 2 lateral and 7 posterior muscle compartments in 72 legs. The patients with CECS of the lower leg were divided into 4 etiological groups: 18 with overuse, 10 with earlier trauma, 4 insulin-treated diabetics, and 4 others. Two-thirds of the patients had pain during walking. The outcome after fasciotomy was excellent or good in 41/57 of the legs.
Interpretation:
CECS of the lower leg probably has a multifactorial etiology and is more common in sedentary individuals than has been recognized previously. Fasciotomy appears to be beneficial in these cases also.
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