Compartment Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Learn about acute and chronic compartment syndrome, a painful condition caused by increased pressure within the muscles. Find out the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition.">

Compartment syndrome is a painful condition that occurs when pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels. This pressure can decrease blood flow, which prevents nourishment and oxygen from reaching nerve and muscle cells.

Acute Compartment Syndrome

Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency. It is usually caused by a severe injury and is extremely painful. Without treatment, it can lead to permanent muscle damage.

Chronic Compartment Syndrome

Chronic compartment syndrome, also known as exertional compartment syndrome, is usually not a medical emergency. It is most often caused by athletic exertion and is reversible with rest.

Anatomy

Compartments are groupings of muscles, nerves, and blood vessels in your arms and legs. Covering these tissues is a tough membrane called a fascia. The role of the fascia is to keep the tissues in place, and, therefore, the fascia does not stretch or expand easily.

The area between the knee and ankle has four major muscle compartments: anterior, lateral, superficial posterior, deep posterior.

Cause

Acute compartment syndrome usually develops after a severe injury, such as a car accident or a broken bone. Chronic compartment syndrome is caused by exercise, especially activities with repetitive motions.

Symptoms

The classic sign of acute compartment syndrome is severe pain, especially when the muscle within the compartment is stretched. Chronic compartment syndrome causes pain or cramping during exercise, which goes away when activity stops.

Treatment

Acute compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency. Surgical treatment involves making an incision to relieve pressure within the affected compartment.

Nonsurgical treatment options are available for chronic compartment syndrome, such as physical therapy and avoiding the activity that caused the condition. Surgery may be considered if conservative measures fail.

Disclaimer

This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.