[Chronic compartment syndrome].

Abstract

Among causes of leg pains, a usual disability in athletes, chronic exertional compartment syndrome is far from being uncommon. To the opposite, descriptions concerning the others compartments such as the forearm or thigh are still scarce and poorly documented. A variety of techniques have been described for the measurement of intramuscular pressure. Intramuscular pressure measurement is a valuable and essential tool for diagnosing a compartment syndrome, but it is somewhat controversial when the deep posterior compartment is concerned. Conservative treatment is unsuccessful, whereas surgical decompression yield favorable results; two procedures are performed subcutaneous fasciotomy or open fasciotomy.