Do I Have Compartment Syndrome?

Have you suffered a serious injury like a car accident, a broken bone or a severe sprain?

Do you have aching, burning or cramping pain in a specific area (compartment) of the affected limb?

Do you have tightness in the affected limb?

Do you have numbness or tingling in the affected limb?

Do you have weakness of the affected limb?

Do you have pain that is more intense than what would be expected from an injury?

Do you have severe pain that doesn't go away after taking pain medicine or raising the affected area?

Do you have pale skin of the affected area, swelling or inability to move the affected part?

Do you have pain that begins consistently after a certain time or intensity of exertion after you start exercising the affected limb?

Do you have pain that progressively worsens as you exercise?

Do you have pain that becomes less intense or stops completely within 15 minutes of stopping the activity?

Has the recovery time after exercise increased over time?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a painful condition characterized by increased pressure in the muscle compartment. The muscle compartment is a confined space that consists of muscles, blood vessels and nerves surrounded by a thick layer of tissue called the fascia. The fascia cannot spread, so any swelling in the compartment will lead to increased pressure on the muscles, blood vessels and nerves in that area. The pressure that lasts for a long time can cause permanent damage to the affected arm or leg. There are several muscle compartments in the arms and legs.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a serious condition characterized by edema or accumulation of blood in the muscle compartment. Increased pressure can lead to reduced blood flow in the tissues within the compartment and consequent damage to the muscles and nerves. There are two types of compartment syndrome: acute and chronic. Acute compartment syndrome is usually caused by a severe injury such as a car accident. It is a medical emergency. Chronic compartment syndrome is characterized by pain during exercise, which subsides when activity ceases. It is caused by exertion during exercise, and occurs in the legs.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a medical condition in which increased pressure within the muscle compartment leads to deficient blood supply to the tissues in that area. Timely diagnosis and treatment are necessary to prevent permanent damage to muscles and nerves. However, the prognosis depends on the severity of the injury that led to this condition. Acute compartment syndrome must be treated surgically. Treatment for chronic compartment syndrome may include pain relievers, physical therapy, orthotics, and avoiding the activity that caused the condition. In case conservative measures do not help, surgery may be an option.