Compartment syndrome is a serious medical condition that causes excessive pressure build-up within a muscle compartment of an extremity. This condition typically occurs after an injury, leading to painful swelling and increased pressure within the compartment such as the arm, leg or any enclosed surface within the body. If left untreated, fibrous bands of tissues and nerves into compartments may fail and eventually die because of the lack of blood supply. Compartment syndrome can affect any part of the body that has muscles or nerves contained in compartments, including the hands and feet.
Common Causes Of Compartment Syndrome Include:
Sports injuries such as tibial or forearm fractures
ACL ruptures and elbow fractures.
The repetitive use of muscles in certain sports such as cycling, swimming, running and soccer can cause temporary or permanent damage to nerves and ligaments in the compartments.
Other causes include ischemic reperfusion, vascular puncture, hemorrhage, prolonged limb compression, crush injuries, intravenous drug injection and burns.
Taking anabolic steroids for a long period of time can also contribute to the development of compartment syndrome.
People who are hospitalized or on life support may develop “abdominal compartment syndrome”, a condition that is characterized by a distended abdomen, abdominal pain, low blood pressure, and wincing when the abdomen is pressed on. If left untreated, the pressure in the abdominal compartment may rise, reducing blood flow to and from the abdominal regions. In severe cases, liver, kidneys and other vital organs may be injured or permanently damaged.
Common Symptoms Of Acute Compartment Syndrome:
Swelling that develops over a few hours after a serious injury
A persistent deep ache in the affected area, numbness or tingling sensations in the limb, swelling, bruising and tightness.
Symptoms of chronic compartment syndrome (also known as exertional compartment syndrome) include cramping in the affected muscle within a half-hour of performing a physical activity, pain with motion of the extremity and muscle bulging.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Compartment syndrome can be diagnosed by measuring compartment and subcutaneous pressures using a simple intravenous catheter and needle. If pressure is too high, a fasciotomy will be required to relieve the pressure on nerves and ligaments. An x-ray combined with a physical exam may be used to confirm the presence of compartment syndrome.
Physiotherapy makes a good option to treat acute compartment syndrome. Treatments such as cold and heat therapies, mobilization of the affected joint, soft-tissue massage of the muscles and progressive strengthening exercises help relieve pain, improve balance and gradually increase muscle strength so that one can return to his or her activities as quickly as possible. An expert at a physiotherapy clinic may also decompress the nerve traversing the compartment to reduce the symptoms.
Chronic compartment syndrome can be treated with a combination of conservative treatments such as rest, anti-inflammatory medications and manual decompression. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has also been shown to be effective in reducing the pain due to inflammation and arterial occlusion. In cases where symptoms persist, surgical procedure may be required to treat the condition.
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