[Chronic stress-related compartment syndrome of the forearm]

The chronic anterior compartment syndrome of the forearm is a rare pathology (3 cases have been already published), and of new knowledge. Three new cases on 2 patients (one on both sides) are described here. The authors describe recent advances about physiopathology, exploration and surgical treatment. It is due to strenuous activity using flexor muscles of the forearm without any release period (here motor cyclist competition). The symptom was pain at the anterior forearm similar to cramp. The most important for diagnosis was to measure the pressure after activity. The threshold level read after activity was up to 30 mm of Hg, with a very slow coming back to normal value. The isotopic scanner with hydroxyl methylene di-phosphonate (HMDP), after activity, showed a delay of arrival of the tracer and a stasis. RMI seems to give abnormal modification of the signal. The only treatment was surgical and an open fasciotomy of superficial and deep fascia must be done, with opening of the muscle's perimysium. The patients became painfree and resumed their sport after surgical treatment.