Deep Posterior Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome As A cause of Leg Pain

Overview

Journal Unfallchirurg

Date 2019 May 18

PMID 31098648

Citations 3

Authors

Michiel Winkes

Percy van Eerten

Marc Scheltinga

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

A small proportion of patients with exertional leg pain (ELP) have deep posterior chronic exertional compartment syndrome (dp-CECS). These individuals report pain, tightness and cramps deep in the calf muscles that are elicited by exercise, but may also be present during rest to a lesser extent. Physical examination often reveals painful palpation of the flexor muscles in the area immediately dorsomedial to the tibial bone. Diagnosis is confirmed by intracompartmental pressure testing. Various entities may mimic or coincide with dp-CECS, including medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) and popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES). Fasciotomy of multiple flexor muscles is the only treatment that achieves a beneficial outcome. The aim of this overview is to discuss the diagnosis and management of dp-CECS.

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