Subsequent tissue necrosis could potentially lead to the necessity for limb amputation, thus why immediate care is necessary.Īcute compartment syndromes also occur from unusual activities in which tissues are compressed for long periods. If the sudden increase in pressure is not relieved, tissue necrosis and permanent damage can result.
Symptoms don’t always appear immediately, which makes identifying the condition difficult.Īcute compartment syndromes are less common than chronic ones, but are far more dangerous because they usually involve greater degrees of swelling and greater pressure levels within the compartment. Other causes include vigorous exercise with immediate symptom onset, blood clots, tight bandaging, or surgical procedures. Compartment Syndrome: Acute or ChronicĪn acute compartment syndrome usually results from some type of acute trauma like a direct blow to the area, bone fracture, or other sudden injuries that cause inflammation. A host of symptoms can result from this increased compartmental pressure. As the compartment pressure increases, the contents are squeezed. If the stiff walls of the compartment don’t allow it to expand sufficiently, pressure builds up from the decreasing space and growing size of the expanding muscles. When the muscles increase in size, the compartment must expand. A compartment syndrome occurs when the muscles within the compartment swell as a result of exercise or inflammation from trauma. There are also lymphatic vessels and other more superficial cutaneous nerves in the compartment.Įven though some of the compartment walls are composed of fascial tissue or other soft tissue like the interosseous membrane, these tissues may be stiff and unyielding. It also contains the tibial artery and vein and the deep fibular nerve (Image 3). In the lower leg, the anterior compartment is the one most susceptible to compartment syndrome. The superficial posterior compartment contains the gastrocnemius and soleus (plantar flexors), while the deep posterior compartment contains the three long muscles extending into the foot: tibialis posterior, flexor hallucis longus, and flexor digitorum longus. The lateral compartment contains the fibularis (peroneal) muscles. The anterior compartment contains the dorsiflexor muscles. There are four compartments in the lower leg (Images 1 and 2). These soft- and hard-tissue boundaries of each muscle group form the individual compartments. Each group is separated from the adjacent group by fascial walls, bones, or a tough interosseous membrane. The lower leg muscles are organized in groups containing muscles that perform similar functions. The compartments in the lower leg are the most susceptible to compartment syndrome. To understand how compartment syndromes arise, let’s explore this condition. Delayed treatment on an acute compartment syndrome can cause tissue necrosis and lead to limb amputation. Differentiating between a medical emergency and nonemergency is essential when the possibility of acute compartment syndrome exists. Recognizing acute versus chronic compartment syndrome is crucial.Ĭhronic compartment syndromes may respond well to massage, but acute compartment syndromes are an emergency condition that need immediate care by a physician. 1 There are two forms of compartment syndrome: acute and chronic (often called exertional compartment syndrome). Compartment syndrome occurs most often in the lower leg, although other regions (such as the thigh, arm, or gluteal region, among others) can also be affected. Putting the Squeeze on Compartment Syndrome By Whitney Lowe Īnterior leg pain is common for those with active lifestyles, and there are a number of conditions that can appear in this region of the body, including compartment syndrome.
Massage and Bodywork Magazine for the Visually Impaired - Putting the Squeeze on Compartment Syndrome Back to Massage and Bodywork Issue List March/April 2021 Issue Back to March/April 2021 Article List
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