Exertional Compartment Syndrome in Five Collegiate Athletes

The etiology for Exertional Compartment Syndrome (ECS) can be described as increasing pressure within the lower leg compartments that with exertion can impede venous circulation [1,2]. This increased pressure can cause ischemia, pain, cramp-like feeling, and neurological deficits such as tingling or numbness to the rest of the peripheral distribution [3]. Although the physiological origin of ECS still remains unclear, the focus remains on multilayered effects of intrinsic/extrinsic forces on anatomical structures. Factors such as bony anatomy (leg length discrepancy) are considered intrinsic and imbalances in flexibility/strength or training demands are considered extrinsic [1]. The addition of contributing outliers such as compartment fascial thickness, increased muscle volume, and decreased venous return creates a perfect storm for injury to develop [1,4].

Diagnosis should be made after a full medical and health history is taken. Flick and Flick [5] explain that diagnosis of ECS proves to be difficult as there are no clinically established criteria for diagnosis. Differential diagnoses such as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS), peroneal nerve entrapment, periostitis, anterior tibialis contusions, and stress fractures of tibia need to be ruled out [5,6]. Therefore, delays in early diagnosis and treatments can be detrimental to the athlete as symptoms increase and the possibility of irreversible nerve/ tissue impairment is present. Moreover, it has been found that there can be a 22-month delay in diagnosis due to athletes’ self-limiting or modifying activity based on pain, which can hinder the diagnostic process [4,6].

Once diagnosis is made, the treatment plan is equally important for the athlete to achieve best positive outcomes, whether it is to treat conservatively or with surgical intervention. Conservative rehabilitation can range from a couple weeks to months; rest, assessing footwear/biomechanics, and altering activities can be included [7]. Unfortunately, there are few reports of positive outcomes with conservative treatment plans [1]. Surgical management via fasciotomy is considered when intracompartmental pressures surpass normal compartment standards: normal pressure is 0 to < 10mmHg and resting pressures exceeding 15mmHg or 1-2 minutes post-exercise >30mmHg [1,2,8].

The review of five collegiate athletes (age =19.5±1.5) who suffered symptoms of ECS within the same calendar year. Two athletes suffered from unilateral ECS (anterior & lateral), two athletes suffered from bilateral ECS (1 anterior & lateral, 1 all four compartments), and one athlete suffered bilateral ECS (1 posterior, 1 anterior & lateral) on two separate occasions during the year. Unknown factors that were not reported were footwear choices, pre-existing injuries, and biomechanical issues. The uniqueness of this cluster of ECS injuries at the university was the randomness between athletes.

1. Four females and one male athlete made up the examined group.

2. Five different sports were played: females (softball, volleyball, soccer, and lacrosse) and male (cross country).

3. Five different training surfaces were used: multifunctional composite surface, traditional hardwood surface, SportTurf synthetic grass, and a combination of street surfaces and natural grass for cross country training and competitions.

4. Four athletes were in-season and one was out of season at onset of ECS.

5. Three cases (all female) needed surgical fasciotomies to release compartment pressure.

6. Two cases (one female and the male athlete) were treated conservatively with rehabilitation.

The only common factor that was found between the athletes was that they all reported being freshman or sophomore standing at the university. One of the female athletes transferred as a sophomore from a Junior College before the season started (Table 1)

Table 1:Reported athlete compartment pressures and treatments.

ECS injuries can be attributed to many issues: running surface, footwear, abnormal gait, acute direct trauma, or chronic repetitive activities. In the presented case, five individuals were diagnosed with ECS within one academic year. Upon examination, the one common factor that all the student-athletes shared was class standing at the university. All five students were either freshman or a transfer sophomore to the university and their respected sport. When gathering the athlete’s history, it was determined that the student-athletes experienced an increase in exercise intensity and volume when they transitioned from high school and/or Junior College athletics. As previously discussed, exercise intensity and volume can be a contributing factor in the development of ECS. A more concerted effort may be needed to ensure adequate time allotment for young athletes to properly adapt to and recover from the increased physical demands places on their bodies.

Continued research and study is needed to develop a clinically sound criterion that can be used for diagnosis of ECS. Collecting a comprehensive health/activity history, considering anatomical structures, and assessing possible intrinsic and extrinsic factors can direct the possible diagnosis. In addition, reducing the time to diagnosis could decrease the possibility of irreversible nerve/tissue impairment and increase the likelihood for a more timely recovery.

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