Compartmental syndrome?

One of my roommates had it in college. At first the doctors assummed it was stress fracture (similar pain). But the main symptom was swollen calves. They would really swell up and the swelling would go down to the ankles. Eventually she experienced this everytime she ran (the swelling + sensation that her legs were on fire). The end result being that she had to have surgery. The procedure involves making cuts into the sheath so that the muscle has more room...but if they do not preform this on all of the compartments the surgery will not work. Two of my teammates had this surgery the only successful one was where they cut into all the compartments.

You might have compartmental syndrome if the front of your legs get really sore and swell during your run. It will hurt badly, sort of like a shin splint, but in both legs and muscle will be rock hard when it is swollen. It will cease as soon as you are done running and really won't affect you except when you are exerting your legs.

For two months we thought I had compartmental syndrome. Before I had the pressure test done, a doctor suggested that I get massage therapy because sometimes it will work and I won't have to take any time off of running. Well, it turns out that my feet were causing the pain by tightening up the muscles by my ankles which affected my entire lower leg (and IT's and butt and back). The intense pain was because the fascial bands were so tight that the muscle could only expand one direction, forward, in the sheath and so it looked and felt like compartmental syndrome.

If you actually have it, there is a very easy out-patient procedure that requires you not run for 6-8 weeks. But afterwards, you will be in great shape.

Not to be picky, but shouldn't it be "compartment syndrome?"

My other question is that this problem seems to happen in women WAY more often than men. Is there any good explanation why?

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am not sure if the corret term is compartment or compartmental, I don't really think it matters. Does anyone else have any suggestions I could really use anyones help I have been struggling with this for quite some time. Thanks!

In Regards to: Ohio_Runner

"Well, it turns out that my feet were causing the pain by tightening up the muscles by my ankles which affected my entire lower leg (and IT's and butt and back). The intense pain was because the fascial bands were so tight that the muscle could only expand one direction, forward, in the sheath and so it looked and felt like compartmental syndrome."

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I have something very similar to what you described here. The doctors were pretty certain I had compartment syndrome until we did the pressure test. Did massage clear this up for you? What other remedies did you try?

To ohio_runner:

I would also like to know more like did you have any problems that maybe were a precursor to this? And what did you do to get rid of it? Thanks1

Firstly, it's compartment syndrome. no '-al'

Secondly, someone above mentioned that surgery won't be successful unless all of your compartments are released. This is completely false. Surgery will be successful if each of the compartments with elevated pressure is released. This may be one, two, three, or all four compartments in one or both legs.

The actual surgical procedure is called a fasciotomy. The surgeon makes an incision and cuts open the muscle covering (the fascia). Imagine slicing the skin on a sausage, but not cutting any of the meat inside. This allows your muscle to expand and thereby lowering the intercompartmental pressure.

The most important advice that I have is to find an excellent surgeon. Not an okay surgeon, not a good surgeon, an excellent surgeon. Ask around until you find one about whom everyone says, "He's the best." (Hey, if you don't want to, fine--they're your legs.)

I had both of my tibialis anterior compartments released 3 years ago. It saved my career. Took about 3 weeks for me to start jogging and 6 weeks to start running. About 9 weeks after surgery I PR'd for 5K indoors. Tibialis anterior compartments are relatively simple to operate on. The timeline of recovery from surgery to other compartments may be longer. (i.e. your mileage may vary)

Back to the surgeon topic for a moment. I got lucky because the team trainers knew exactly who to send me to. My scars are about 3cm and you can't see them unless you are less than 2 feet away and I show you where they are. But I've seen runners who went to other surgeons and their legs are a mess. 6 inch scars and the surgery wasn't even all that successful.

Can you recommend a doctor in Michigan?

The first symtoms i experienced were a dull pain and severe tightness of the lower calf muscle. it only affected me when i would run so i just blew it off as a tight muscle and tried to stretch more. The end result was that the tightness got so bad it cut off circulation to my foot leaving it numb. The only two choices i had was to get the surgery or just deal with the pain and numbness(i was told that i wasn't doing any damage to myself to run throught it, but then again it was annoying as hell and i couldn't feel my toes). I opted for the surgery and haven't had any problems since.

Thanks Matt McGowan.

Will compartment syndrom go away if you take a good rest.