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Compartment syndrome

Compartment syndrome

Compartment syndrome is a painful condition associated with an increase in pressure within a muscle compartment.

The increased pressure can lead to a decrease in blood flow due to the direct compression of blood vessels, resulting in reduced oxygen supply to nerve and muscle cells.

Compartment syndrome can be acute or chronic.


Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency, usually caused by severe trauma. If not promptly treated, it can lead to permanent muscle and nerve damage.



Chronic compartment syndrome is more frequently associated with sports activities, resulting from an increase in the volume of muscle mass within a compartment. This can limit regular physical activity, causing significant pain.

The most common forms include:

  • Compartment syndrome of the leg
  • Compartment syndrome of the arm

Causes

The space within a compartment is not expandable, as the fascia defining the compartments is not elastic.



Compartment syndrome develops when there is an increase in muscle volume or in case of bleeding, causing internal pressure that compresses blood vessels and nerves, potentially leading to permanent damage.

Causes of acute compartment syndrome

  1. Fracture
  2. Severe muscle contusion
  3. Restoration of vascular flow after circulation interruption
  4. High-energy traumas
  5. Use of anabolic steroids
  6. External compression due to bandages or casts

Causes of chronic compartment syndrome

The primary cause is physical exercise.


Athletes engaging in activities involving repetitive use of muscle groups, such as cycling, running, martial arts, and swimming, are more predisposed to developing this syndrome.


Symptoms typically subside after stopping physical exercise and usually do not result in permanent damage.

*The compartment consists of a group of muscles, nerves, and vessels contained in an outer membrane called fascia. The role of fascia is to keep these structures compacted in their place, making it non-elastic and without the ability to expand.


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