Exertional Compartment Syndrome Strategies for Evaluation and Management

Objective: The exertional compartment syndrome (ECS) is often a delayed diagnosis. Compartment pressure measurements (CPM) confirm the diagnosis. Herein we present our algorithm for the evaluation and management (E&M) of ECS. It avoids multiple CPM and shows the importance of the history and examination for E&M of the ECS.

Design: A literature review showed that limb abnormalities are hardly ever mentioned. Subsequently we show how the history, examination (for recognizing abnormalities), and CPM integrate with our algorithm for E&M of the ECS.

Setting: Our algorithm evolved for a 32-year interval and approximately 150 ECS evaluations.

Patients: Our E&M method was used for the above complement of patients.

Interventions: The symptomatic muscle compartment(s) and the severity of pain during the inciting activity are ascertained. The examination detects abnormalities and tautness of muscle compartments. This information integrated into our ECS algorithm establishes which compartments need CPM.

Main outcome measures: Pain severity is quantified on a 0- to 10-point scale. This information is integrated with history, examination findings, and CPMs to guide E&M for a range of ECS presentations.

Results: Abnormalities detected on the examination often explain why ECS occurs. This information is valued by the patient, minimizes CPM, and offers sound advice for E&M.

Conclusions: Our article heightens awareness of the ECS diagnosis for all levels of care providers. It objectifies pain severity, shows the importance of the examination, and minimizes ECM in giving advice to the referral sources.