CHRONIC EXERTIONAL COMPARTMENT SYNDROME OF THE LOWER LEG TREATED WITH SINGLE MINIMAL INCISION FASCIOTOMY.

DR.PRERAK  YADAV; DR.DIVYPRASAD BAMANIYA

Volume : V, Issue : VI, June - 2016

CHRONIC EXERTIONAL COMPARTMENT SYNDROME OF THE LOWER LEG TREATED WITH SINGLE MINIMAL INCISION FASCIOTOMY.

Dr. Prerak Yadav, Dr. Divyprasad Bamaniya

Abstract :

 Background: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) involves a painful increase in compartment pressure caused by exercise and relieved by rest, common in athletes. The most common site for CECS in the lower limbs is the anterior leg compartment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of a single minimal incision fasciotomy in athletes and their capability to return to high level sport activity. Methods: The study reports mid–term results in a series of 18 consecutive athletes with chronic exertional compartment of the leg who had undergone minimally invasive fasciotomy. Between 2013 and 2016, we prospectively enrolled 18 consecutive athletes (12 males and six females, median age 27 years) with unilateral or bilateral chronic exertional compartment syndrome undergoing unilateral or bilateral minimally invasive fasciotomy. Results: The median follow–up after surgery was 36 months. Both questionnaires showed a statistically significant improvement (P < 0.0001) after surgery. At the time of the latest follow–up, 17 of 18 patients (94 %) had returned to pre–injury or higher levels of sport. Only one patient (6 %) returned to sport at lower levels than those of pre–injury status. The median time to return to training and to return to sport was 8 and 13 weeks, respectively. No severe complications or recurrence of the symptoms were recorded. Conclusions: Minimally invasive fasciotomy is effective and safe for athletes suffering from unilateral or bilateral chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the anterior and lateral compartments leg with good results in the mid–term.