Functional Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction After Fasciotomy for Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome

Abstract

High school and college patients (age <23 years) and isolated anterior compartment release (compared with anterior/lateral release) were factors associated with improved subjective function and satisfaction after fasciotomy. We recommend the avoidance of lateral release unless symptoms or postexertion compartment pressures are clearly indicative of lateral compartment involvement.

Return to Duty After Elective Fasciotomy for Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome

“…6 Studies have borne out the success of fasciotomies in allowing patients, athletes and nonathletes alike, to return to activities with a decrease in pain. 8,9,12,14,15,17 These studies also report that when failures did occur, they were primarily with fasciotomy of the posterior compartments, particularly the deep compartment. 8,9,14,16 However, none of these studies can directly be applied to a military population with persistent physical demands and minimal allowance for activity modification.…”

Two Cases of Lower Extremity Compartment Syndrome after Posterior Urethroplasty

“…The nerve damage resulting from ischemia or secondary fibrotic contractures and compression leads to weakness, paralysis, anesthesia, hypoesthesia and hyperesthesia distal to the point of injury [19]. Surgical decompression is associated with long-term problems of health-related quality of life particularly in relation to pain and discomfort [20].…”

Lower extremity overuse injuries in the skeletally immature athlete

“…67 If gait modification and other nonoperative modalities fail, fasciotomy can be considered. Although symptom recurrence after fasciotomy has been reported to be as high as 45%, 68 a recent study of patients in whom nonoperative management failed found that satisfaction was higher among those who underwent fasciotomy than among those who continued nonoperative management 69 Satisfaction with surgery tended to be higher in younger patients and those who underwent an isolated anterior release (as opposed to anterior and lateral releases). 69 In addition to the conventional open technique, a number of endoscopic techniques also have been described, although only with small case series.…”

“…Although symptom recurrence after fasciotomy has been reported to be as high as 45%, 68 a recent study of patients in whom nonoperative management failed found that satisfaction was higher among those who underwent fasciotomy than among those who continued nonoperative management 69 Satisfaction with surgery tended to be higher in younger patients and those who underwent an isolated anterior release (as opposed to anterior and lateral releases). 69 In addition to the conventional open technique, a number of endoscopic techniques also have been described, although only with small case series. 70 As an alternative to surgery, the injection of Botulinum toxin A has been reported to improve pain and reduce intramuscular pressure, but some patients have experienced weakness as a side effect, and whether symptom relief is long-standing is unknown.…”