Int J Sports Med 2018; 39(14): 1081-1087
DOI: 10.1055/a-0640-9104
Clinical Sciences
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Fasciotomy for Lateral Lower-leg Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome

Aniek Philomena Maria van Zantvoort
1   Máxima Medical Center, Surgery, Veldhoven, Netherlands
,
Johan Anthonius de Bruijn
1   Máxima Medical Center, Surgery, Veldhoven, Netherlands
,
Henricus P. H. Hundscheid
1   Máxima Medical Center, Surgery, Veldhoven, Netherlands
,
Marike van der Cruijsen-Raaijmakers
2   Máxima Medical Center, Sports Medicine, Veldhoven, Netherlands
,
Joep A. W. Teijink
3   Catharina Ziekenhuis, Surgery, Eindhoven, Netherlands
,
Marc R. Scheltinga
1   Máxima Medical Center, Surgery, Veldhoven, Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted 29 May 2018

Publication Date:
12 November 2018 (online)

Abstract

Exercise-induced lower leg pain may be caused by chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS). Anterior or deep posterior compartments are usually affected. Knowledge about CECS of the lateral compartment (lat-CECS) is limited and outcome after fasciotomy is unknown. The purpose of this study is to report on success rates of fasciotomy in patients with lat-CECS. Surgical success rates in patients with lat-CECS diagnosed with a dynamic intracompartmental pressure (ICP) measurement were studied using a questionnaire (success: excellent or good as judged by the patient; unsuccessful: moderate, fair or poor). We conducted ICP measurements in 247 patients for suspected lat-CECS, of whom 78 were positively diagnosed. Following exclusion (n=11), 30 of the eligible 67 patients completed the questionnaire. Bilateral (70%, n=21/30) exertional pain (97%, n=29) and a feeling of tightness (93%, n=28) were the most frequently reported symptoms. Four years after fasciotomy, severity and frequency of symptoms had dropped significantly. Long-term surgical success was reported by 33% (n=10; excellent n=4, good n=6). Seventy-three percent (n=22) had resumed sports activities (9 same level, 13 lower level). In conclusion, a fasciotomy for lat-CECS was successful in the long term in just one of three operated patients in this retrospective study.

Supplementary Material

 
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