Recurrent compartment syndrome in the posterior thigh. Report of a case

Recurrent compartment syndromes of the lower extremity, which usually occur in conjunction with intense use of muscle groups, can be briefly defined as an uncomfortable circulatory disturbance associated with a pathologic increase in total intramuscular pressure. This syndrome has been reported in each of the four compartments of the leg but not in the thigh. Characteristic features of clinical presentation and physical examination are reviewed in this report. We have found that an intracompartmental pressure test (Whitesides Jr, TE, Haney TC, Morimoto K, et al: Tissue pressure measurements as a determinant for the need of fasciotomy. Clin Orthop 113: 43-51, 1975) is an invaluable diagnostic aid. A case involving the medial hamstring groups, with characteristic historical presentation, intracompartmental pressure elevation, and excellent response to fasciotomy, is presented and discussed. The only effective treatment in this case was fasciotomy.