Results of fasciotomy in patients with medial tibial syndrome or chronic anterior-compartment syndrome

I studied the results of fasciotomy of the affected muscle compartment in eight patients with chronic anterior-compartment syndrome (involvement of the anterior tibial compartment) and in nine patients with medial tibial syndrome (involvement of the deep posterior compartment), all of whom had pain with exercise. In the patients with chronic anterior-compartment syndrome, the preoperative intramuscular pressure in the anterior tibial compartment, as measured by the wick-catheter method, was increased ten minutes after exercise to 52 +/- 36 millimeters of mercury. After fasciotomy this pressure was significantly lowered to 4 +/- 6 millimeters of mercury (p less than 0.01). In the patients with medial tibial syndrome, the preoperative intramuscular pressure in the deep posterior compartment was normal ten minutes after exercise (8 +/- 4 millimeters of mercury) and did not significantly change after the fasciotomy (5 +/- 6 millimeters of mercury). The clinical results after fasciotomy were good in both groups of patients. There was complete relief of pain in all of the patients with chronic anterior-compartment syndrome and in five of the nine patients with medial tibial syndrome. The other four patients considered their condition to be improved in spite of some remaining symptoms.     

Exercise-induced acute bilateral isolated anterolateral compartment syndrome of the leg: a case report of a rare condition

Acute compartment syndrome of the leg is generally a consequence of trauma. Exercise-induced acute compartment syndrome of the leg is an exceptional clinical entity observed in the context of a chronic compartment syndrome or as an isolated acute syndrome subsequent to an intense effort. Our patient was a young athlete with no history of exercise-induced leg pain. Following a soccer game, he developed an acute leg syndrome involving the anterolateral compartment of both legs. The diagnosis was not suggested by the patient's history (no notion of chronic compartment syndrome) nor the natural history of the condition but was retained on the basis of the clinical presentation and course then confirmed by intramuscular pressure measurements. Emergency treatment by fasciotomy under general anesthesia in the operating room led to cure with no sequela. The fasciotomy was closed on day 9 with simple skin sutures. Surgeons should be aware that acute exercise-induced compartment syndrome (with the risk of severe functional consequences) may be the cause of unexplained intense leg pain. The diagnosis is established on the basis of clinical findings and measurement of intramuscular pressures. Pain is the cardinal sign, sometimes associated with sensorial deficit. The compartment is hard and painful at palpation. Passive stretching exacerbates the pain. Compartment pressure is required for certain diagnosis, most Authors accepting > 30mmHg as a positive test. Emergency fasciotomy is required.     

Clinical spectrum of acute compartment syndrome of the thigh and its relation to associated injuries

The reason for the described clinical variability of acute compartment syndrome of the thigh, with high morbidity and mortality in some patients and an uncomplicated clinical course in others, is not known. To better define the clinical spectrum and factors determining the clinical course of this rare clinical entity, we did a retrospective multicenter study of 28 patients with 29 thigh compartment syndromes. The leading cause of acute thigh compartment syndrome was blunt trauma from motor vehicle accidents (46%) or contusion (39%). Pain with passive motion was present in all patients who were conscious, followed by paresthesia (60%), and paralysis (42%). The anterior compartment was involved most frequently with mean compartment pressure of 58 +/- 3 mm Hg. Myonecrosis, sepsis, and need for skin grafting were observed more frequently in patients with ipsilateral femur fracture. Only 7% of patients with isolated thigh compartment syndromes had short-term complications compared with 57% of patients with ipsilateral femur fractures. The incidence of complications correlated with the time to fasciotomy. Mortality was limited to patients with high injury severity scores. The clinical spectrum of thigh compartment syndrome is comparable with that of other compartment syndromes and its clinical course is determined by its associated injuries.     

Chronic compartment syndrome of the lower leg: a new diagnostic method using near-infrared spectroscopy and a new technique of endoscopic fasciotomy.

A 19-year-old female basketball player had chronic compartment syndrome. During basketball playing, she complained of bilateral lower leg pain that disappeared after several minutes of rest. The intracompartmental pressure in the anterior compartment was 41 mm Hg on the right side and 29 mm Hg on the left side immediately after playing. Prolonged ischemia of the anterior compartment was observed in comparison with four normal controls using near-infrared spectroscopy. Magnetic resonance imaging also revealed that the anterior compartment was mainly affected. Endoscopic fasciotomy was performed using an arthroscope, a transparent outer tube, and a retrograde blade. After the operation, her symptoms disappeared. Three months postoperatively, the anterior compartment pressure decreased and prolonged tissue ischemia improved. Endoscopic fasciotomy allowed us to cut the fascia safely and less invasively. We concluded that this technique is useful in treating chronic compartment syndrome in the anterior compartment of the lower leg.     

Endoscopic aponeurotomy for chronic exertional compartmental syndrome of the forearm: report of 41 cases

INTRODUCTION: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm is probably underdiagnosed as a cause of forearm pain in the sportsman. Its pathological basis is a critical elevation of extracellular pressure. The clinical diagnosis is confirmed by measurements of intracompartmental pressures. We described a reliable original method of endoscopically assisted superficial fasciotomy for treating chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm. The goal of the study is the physiological and clinical validation of this technique. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study after the anatomical assessment of the feasibility of our endoscopically assisted fasciotomy. METHODS: Review of 41 forearm decompressions in 25 patients (23 sportsmen and 2 musicians). Follow-up of 6 months to 9 years. RESULTS: Eighty-eight percent reported an excellent or good outcome with significant reduction of pain during exercise. Three patients noted the return of their compartment syndrome and this was confirmed by new measurements of intramuscular pressure. Two of them underwent fasciectomy with excision of a hypertrophic scar of the superficial aponevrosis to good effect. COMPLICATIONS: Two hematomas and 2 lateral epicondylitis with no adverse effect on the final result. DISCUSSION: Endoscopically assisted fasciotomy is a reliable technique for reducing pain in chronic compartment exertional syndromes. It allows the large majority of patients to return to sports. It is our first choice indication in young sportsmen for syndromes of the forearm (anterior and/or posterior compartment). The limit of the technique is the current knowledge of collagenic tissues pathology as a cause of recurrence with hypertrophic aponevrotic scars.     

Compartment pressures, limb length changes and the ideal spherical shape: a case report and in vitro study

BACKGROUND: Changes in compartment pressures have been noted during traction, reduction, and intramedullary fixation of fractures. Changes in limb length and compartment volumes are suspected contributing factors. Pressure and volume changes are known to be related in animal models. If an acute increase in limb length can adversely affect compartment pressures, reversal or delay of such an increase in length may be of value in the treatment and prevention of compartment syndromes. METHODS: A clinical example is presented in which a documented anterior compartment syndrome was successfully treated by deliberate loss of fracture reduction, without fasciotomy. Fracture reduction was later restored when swelling subsided. Anterior compartment pressures were recorded in response to limb length changes in osteotomized cadaver limbs stabilized with external fixation. RESULTS: The pressure in the anterior compartment varies directly with acute changes in the length of the leg, in an experimental model. Mathematical analysis indicates that available volume within a compartment varies inversely with acute changes in its length. CONCLUSIONS: Fracture reduction that restores the length of an acutely injured extremity may increase pressure in the compartments by decreasing available volume. Deliberate loss of reduction can decrease pressure in the compartments, offering a potential alternative to fasciotomy in the care of compartment syndrome in cautiously selected, monitored patients. Early stabilization without reduction, followed by delayed reduction, may be preferable during treatment of fractures prone to compartment syndrome. Decreased available compartment volume may contribute to compartment syndrome after distraction with intramedullary rods or skeletal traction.     

Gluteal compartment syndrome. A report of 4 cases.

Four cases of gluteal compartment syndrome are presented, 1 traumatic and 3 after an overdose of sedatives. Associated lesions included sciatic nerve palsy in 2 cases and acute renal failure in 1. Three cases with intramuscular pressure exceeding 60 mmHg underwent emergency fasciotomy. Intramuscular pressure monitoring is useful for evaluating the effect of fasciotomy.     

Measuring compartment pressure of the lower leg with a microtip probe

In the acute compartment syndrome it is difficult to decide on the basis of clinical criteria alone whether or not fasciotomy is indicated. Reliable and objective parameters are required before a treatment schedule can be devised. Measurement of the pressure inside the acute compartment can facilitate the decision as to whether operative treatment is appropriate in the case of the muscular compartment involved. We performed compartment pressure measurements in the tibialis anterior compartment in 27 healthy volunteers using a microtip probe. Clinically relevant results were obtained. It was demonstrated that this method could be used either in acute cases or for long-time measurements. We think that using a microtip probe for intracompartmental pressure measurement provides reliable data and makes the decision on fasciotomy much easier.     

Chronic venous compartment syndrome]

Various forms of compartment syndrome can now be distinguished. Acute compartment syndrome is the result of a discrepancy between the volume of the compartment and its contents. This leads to increased pressure at rest and during load, which cuts off the micro-circulation and hence destroys the intracompartmental structures. Chronic compartment syndrome had only been seen in athletes and soldiers up to now. The disease mainly affects the anterior compartment and the fibular muscle group, and only rarely the lateral muscle compartment. In the course of severe venous diseases, a chronic venous compartment syndrome develops which is fundamentally different from the clinical pictures previously known. The cicatricial destruction of the crural fascia exerts an effect on the intracompartmental pressure with every step the patient takes. In severe cases, this results in considerable changes in the muscles involving chronic ischaemia associated with necrosis and glycogen deficiency. Further investigations are necessary in order to define the clinical picture, particularly by measuring the intracompartmental pressure under dynamic and standardised conditions. We suggest also making a verbal distinction between the two forms: a chronic exertional compartmental syndrome and a chronic venous compartmental syndrome.     

Neue Aspekte zum chronischen venösen Kompartmentsyndrom

Chronic venous compartment syndrome can develop in the course of severe, chronic venous disease as a result of sclerosis from the skin and subcutaneous tissue into the deep layers and, ultimately, injury to the crural fascia. Scarring of the fascia causes a short but very strong increase in intracompartmental pressure every time the patient takes a step. This, in turn, can affect the muscles to such a considerable degree that chronic ischemia with necrosis and glycogen deficiency develop. As a result of the biomechanical influences, bone and joints are damaged, which prevents the usually extensive ulcerations from healing, creating a vicious circle. Chronic venous fascial compression syndrome requires special diagnostic procedures. Among these are measurement of compressionability in the compartment and cross-sectional studies of the lower leg muscles. Internal medical, dermatological, and neuropsychiatric consulations may also be necessary. Surgery of the crural fascia can bring about decided improvement in this severe condition and result in long-term healing of the chronic ulcers. In stage III chronic venous insufficiency, paratibial fasciotomy, the Homan procedure, or lateral muscle transposition are indicated, in stage IV disease Homans operation or crural fasciectomy.     

Syndromes des loges

The hallmark of any compartment syndrome, whether acute or chronic, is the elevation of soft tissue pressure within a closed space even if the primary event was different. Acute cases are most often trauma-related and can lead to irreversible neuromuscular dysfunction. They require immediate dermofasciotomy to decompress the soft tissue and avoid ischemia. The diagnosis should rely on physical examination and be confirmed by tissue pressure measurement. If not treated in time, they can result in major sequelae and even amputation. Chronic compartment syndromes are mostly exercise-induced and then mainly related to sport practice. Pressure measurements during provocative test are required to ascertain that exercise-related pain is due to a compartment syndrome. Percutaneous fasciotomy is necessary to alleviate symptoms.     

Compartment syndrome of the thigh after blunt trauma: a complication not to be ignored

We report a case of anterior thigh compartment syndrome, which occurred after man’s thigh was bruised after flipping repeatedly over his bike and being hit by the frame of the bike nearly at around 6 pm. The next day at 1:30 am, he was admitted to the hospital. The initial presentation was a hematoma, and the patient was kept in bed with local cooling. The compartment syndrome of the thigh (CST) diagnosis was made around 6:00 pm when the level of pain was interpreted as disproportionate to the treated lesion; anterior compartment pressure measure was 84 mmHg. A compartment fasciotomy was performed. It is difficult to diagnose a CST in case of muscular contusion as the latter causes symptoms that are similar to CST. A conservative treatment without fasciotomy was carried out by several authors, especially in sportsmen showing a CST following contusion. This conservative treatment implies close monitoring of intramuscular pressures and adjuvant measures (bed rest, holding the thigh at the heart level and oxygenotherapy).     

Long-term physical outcome of patients who suffered crush syndrome after the 1995 Hanshin-Awaji earthquake: prognostic indicators in retrospect.

BACKGROUND: The 372 cases of crush syndrome that followed the 1995 Hanshin-Awaji earthquake have provided a unique opportunity to investigate the long-term physical outcomes and to establish indications for specific treatments in such patients. The objectives of this study were to identify independent predictors of physical outcome in patients suffering from crush syndrome and to clarify the influence of fasciotomy on outcomes. METHODS: Sensory and motor functions were examined 2 years after the earthquake in 42 patients with a total of 58 compressed lower extremities. The influences of time to rescue, fasciotomy, and radical debridement on lower leg muscle strength were evaluated by stepwise regression analysis. Correlation between the time to fasciotomy and lower leg muscle strength was also analyzed. RESULTS: Severe disabilities related to the lower leg compartment were present in 47% (8/17) of patients who underwent fasciotomy and in 16% (4/25) of patients who did not. The anterior compartment was damaged more severely than the posterior compartment. Severe sensory and motor disturbances occurred at a higher rate in relation to anterior and posterior compartments that were treated by fasciotomy than in relation to those that were not. Stepwise regression analysis showed fasciotomy/debridement score to be an independent predictor of long-term lower leg muscle strength (R = 0.67, p < 0.0001) and showed time to rescue to be an independent predictor when debrided compartments were not included in the analysis (R = 0.36, p = 0.009). In all debrided anterior compartments, muscle contractility was completely abolished. There was a significant negative correlation between time to fasciotomy and lower leg muscle strength. CONCLUSION: Secondary compartment syndrome affects physical outcome in crush syndrome patients. We obtained no evidence that fasciotomy improves outcome. Delayed rescue, delayed fasciotomy, and radical debridement may worsen the physical prognosis. Indications for fasciotomy in crush syndrome during the acute phase need further deliberation.     

Acute Compartment Syndrome of the Foot Caused by a Hemangioma

Acute compartment syndrome is most commonly caused by trauma. Although it has been well described in adults, few have addressed this condition in the pediatric patient. The most common causes of acute compartment syndrome of the foot in children are crush syndromes with or without fractures. We present the case of an 8-year-old girl who had a congenital hemangioma on the second toe of her right foot, with persistent pain and swelling of her right lower extremity. On exploration, the limb was cold and swollen, and pulses were timidly palpable. She was admitted with a working diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma with a hematoma that affected the blood flow of the foot. After measuring the compartment pressures, acute compartment syndrome of the right foot was diagnosed and fasciotomy was performed. The current medical literature was reviewed for acute compartment syndromes secondary to hemangiomas. It appears that this could be a new complication of hemangiomas located in limbs with severe consequences if not detected in time.     

The Painful Chronic Anterior Lower Leg Syndrome: A Prospective Clinical and Experimental Study

A presumed painful chronic anterior lower leg syndrome was diagnosed in 51 patients (73 legs), 30 women and 21 men, aged 11 to 70 years, over a 2-year period. The duration of the syndrome varied from 1 month to 10 years. The patients' main complaint was pain when walking located in the medial ventral muscle compartment of the lower leg. In addition 10 of the patients (15 legs) had leg pain at rest as well and 12(15 legs) had paresis of the extensor muscles. Thirty-four paired intracompartmental pressure recordings with the wick technique in 6 patients suggest that the more severe the syndrome the lower the pressure in the tibialis anterior muscle. Blind diathermic fasciotomy in 25 patients (36 legs) with a typical history relieved the pain and paresis completely or partly in 33 (92 per cent) out of 36 legs. No postoperative complications worth mentioning were observed. It is concluded that: 1) a chronic painful anterior lower leg syndrome should be suspected in patients with pain on walking and at rest located in the ventral part of the lower leg; 2) intracompartmental pressure measurements seem to be of little preoperative diagnostic value in non-selected patients; 3) blind diathermic fasciotomy of the anterior, medial compartment of the lower leg, including the extensor retinaculum, gives relief from pain and paresis in most patients with a typical history.     

Acute Compartment Syndrome of the Lower Leg: Retrospective Study on Prevalence,Technique, and Outcome of Fasciotomies

The acute compartment syndrome is caused by bleeding or edema in a closed muscle compartment surrounded by fascia and bone. It is characterized by increased intracompartmental pressure and decreased tissue perfusion. Well-known causative incidents are acute trauma and reperfusion after treatment for acute arterial obstruction. Most commonly the lower leg is involved. Inadequate therapy of the syndrome usually leads to muscle ischemia, rhabdomyolysis, and renal insufficiency. Perioperative morbidity and mortality are high. Although compartment syndromes can be caused by various factors, up until now no comparative studies have been published on clinical outcome of compartment syndromes of different origin. In this retrospective study we analyzed 40 successive cases of fasciotomy for acute lower leg compartment syndrome to study whether different causes of the syndrome lead to different clinical outcomes. We also studied other predictive factors for clinical outcome. The causes for the compartment syndromes were trauma, vascular deobstruction, cardiac surgery, and gastrointestinal surgery in lithotomy position. Clinical outcome showed a mortality of 15% and serious overall morbidity. Multivariate analysis showed the only significant predictive determinant of outcome to be the age of the patient. Fasciotomy for acute compartment syndrome is associated with serious morbidity and mortality. No correlation between causative factors and clinical outcome could be found.     

Chronic compartment syndrome of the flexor muscles in the forearm: a case report

A case is reported of a professional racing motor-cyclist who developed a chronic compartment syndrome of the flexor muscles in the forearm, confirmed by pressure measurements after exercise. Open fasciotomy of both the superficial and deep compartments cured the condition.     

The painful chronic anterior lower leg syndrome. A prospective clinical and experimental study

A presumed painful chronic anterior lower leg syndrome was diagnosed in 51 patients (73 legs), 30 women and 21 men, aged 11 to 70 years, over a 2-year period. The duration of the syndrome varied from 1 month to 10 years. The patients' main complaint was pain when walking located in the medial ventral muscle compartment of the lower leg. In addition 10 of the patients (15 legs) had leg pain at rest as well and 12 (15 legs) had paresis of the extensor muscles. Thirty-four paired intracompartmental pressure recordings with the wick technique in 6 patients suggest that the more severe the syndrome the lower the pressure in the tibialis anterior muscle. Blind diathermic fasciotomy in 25 patients (36 legs) with a typical history relieved the pain and paresis completely or partly in 33 (92 per cent) out of 36 legs. No postoperative complications worth mentioning were observed. It is concluded that: 1) a chronic painful anterior lower leg syndrome should be suspected in patients with pain on walking and at rest located in the ventral part of the lower leg; 2) intracompartmental pressure measurements seem to be of little preoperative diagnostic value in non-selected patients; 3) blind diathermic fasciotomy of the anterior, medial compartment of the lower leg, including the extensor retinaculum, gives relief from pain and paresis in most patients with a typical history.     

Uncommon aetiology of peroneal compartment syndrome

Compartment syndromes are well recognized following major trauma. However, although uncommon, they may occur following athletic activity. We report a case of acute exertional peroneal compartmental syndrome in a 32-year-old that developed following horse riding. Because of the ignorance of pathology, a regional analgesia was carried out resulting in delayed diagnosis. Postoperative electromyography showed the absence of a fibula nerve compound action potential. At one-year follow-up visit following decompressive fasciotomy, muscular strength of the muscles of the anterior tibial compartment almost returned to normal. The presentation of this case of compartmental syndrome following horse riding allows to discuss the place of the regional anaesthesia. Because this anaesthesia technique can delay the diagnosis and the surgical treatment, it should not be used in first intention in the treatment of severe pain associated with compartmental syndrome.     

Continuous compartment pressure monitoring vs. clinical monitoring in tibial diaphyseal fractures

A cohort of 109 consecutive patients with a tibial fracture who underwent continuous compartment pressure monitoring of the anterior compartment of the leg were reviewed and compared to a historical control group of the immediate previous 109 patients who were clinically monitored. Of these patients 33 underwent fasciotomies for acute compartment syndrome in association with tibial diaphyseal fractures. Seventeen patients had continuous compartment pressure monitoring and 16 clinical assessments alone. The fasciotomy rate of patients who underwent continuous compartment pressure monitoring was 15.6%. Patients who were not monitored had a fasciotomy rate of 14.7%. The mean time delay from injury to fasciotomy was 22h in the monitored group and 23h in the non-monitored group. Continuous compartment pressure monitoring did not increase the rate of unnecessary fasciotomies. We could not demonstrate a significant difference in terms of clinical outcome and time delay from injury to fasciotomy.