Acute exercise-induced bilateral anterolateral leg compartment syndrome in a healthy young man

While compartment syndrome after traumatic injury is a well-recognized entity, atraumatic or exercise-induced acute compartment syndrome is not as widely reported. This syndrome, usually unilateral, was first described as "march gangrene" in 1943, and can result in the loss of life or limb. Bilateral cases are usually associated with an underlying medical condition. We wish to report a case of acute, bilateral, exercise-induced anterolateral leg compartment syndrome in a healthy young man. Early recognition and prompt treatment by decompressive fasciotomy is of vital importance if limb function is to be preserved and complications are to be avoided.