Anterior Compartment Syndrome occurs as a result of increased pressure in a closed anatomical space in the body. It can affect your forearm, hand, hips, leg, foot, abdomen or the upper arm; however, it usually is known to occur in parts below the knee. There are mainly two types of Anterior Compartment Syndrome namely Acute Anterior Compartment Syndrome, which occurs as a result of leg injury and Chronic Exertional Anterior Compartment Syndrome, which is caused due to excess exercise.
Causes
- Injury in the leg, particularly crash injuries
- Injury that breaks a bone in your leg
- Increased pressure on legs
- Over exercise or excess walking/running
- Trauma
- Burns
- Infection
- Limb compression
- Fracture in the lower leg
- Blood clot in the leg
- Tight bandaging
Symptoms
- Difficulty while running and exercising.
- The pain disappears when you are taking rest and reappears when you resume exercising or running.
- Pain in your leg that worsens with time.
- Severe pain and inability in moving your leg and toes
- Swelling and redness on the affected leg
- Pale leg skin
- Numbness
- Tightness and bruising on the affected part of your leg
Treatment
In the event where you suffer from any of these symptoms, it is advised that you immediately see the orthopedic doctor. Anterior Compartment Syndrome demands prompt diagnosis so that treatment can be started immediately.
Non-Surgical methods:
- Applying ice on the affected area may help to reduce pain, swelling, bruise and numbness in the leg. This will allow you to move your leg and toes a little easier than before.
- If you are suffering from acute Anterior Compartment Syndrome, then your orthopedic doctor may remove any splint or cast that may be confining your leg.
- Exercises can be prescribed by your physical therapist such as gently stretching your leg or altering your footwear in order to accommodate your feet easily inside it.
- Physical therapy is quite effective as it not only alleviates pain but it also helps in a speedy recovery.
- You must take proper rest and avoid excessive running and walking.
Surgical methods:
It is normally treated using non-surgical methods; however, in some cases the orthopedic surgeon may instruct you to undergo surgery. In order to relieve pressure and tension in your leg, your orthopedic doctor may perform surgery on the affected area in the leg that will allow the muscles of the part to swell.
