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The natural course of chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the lower leg

  • Sports Medicine
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the natural course of chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) in the lower leg.

Methods

Twelve military men [mean age 30 (SD 4)] diagnosed with CECS after intracompartmental pressure (ICP) measurements immediately post-exercise in 21 legs, who did not undergo a fasciotomy, were reviewed and participated in a repeat pressure measurement after a mean time of 50 months (SD 15).

Results

Sixteen of 21 legs still showed an ICP of 35 mm Hg or more (the cut-off point) at the second visit. All twelve patients still had typical complaints. Mean ICP at index measurement was 58 (SD 15) mm Hg. At the second visit, it was 51 (SD 15) mm Hg. Six patients chose to undergo a subcutaneous fasciotomy, and these six patients all benefited in the short term.

Conclusion

The natural course of CECS seems to be persistent symptoms over time.

Level of evidence

Case series with no comparative group, Level IV.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    W. A. Van der Wal

  2. Department of General Surgery, Central Military Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    W. A. Van der Wal, J. G. H. Van den Brand & E. J. M. M. Verleisdonk

  3. Department of Research, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    P. J. C. Heesterbeek

  4. Department of General Surgery, Medical Centre Alkmaar, Alkmaar, The Netherlands

    J. G. H. Van den Brand

  5. Department of General Surgery, Diakonessenhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    E. J. M. M. Verleisdonk

  6. Rietgrachtstraat 41-21, 6828 KB, Arnhem, The Netherlands

    W. A. Van der Wal

Authors
  1. W. A. Van der Wal
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  2. P. J. C. Heesterbeek
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  3. J. G. H. Van den Brand
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  4. E. J. M. M. Verleisdonk
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to W. A. Van der Wal.

Appendix: Questionnaire used at visit A

Appendix: Questionnaire used at visit A

See Table 2.

Table 2 Questionnaire chronic exertional compartment syndrome
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Van der Wal, W.A., Heesterbeek, P.J.C., Van den Brand, J.G.H. et al. The natural course of chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the lower leg. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 23, 2136–2141 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-2847-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-2847-2

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