Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome
A 24-year-old military recruit presents with bilateral anterolateral leg pain that occurs predictably after 15-20 minutes of running. The pain is described as tight, cramping, and aching, building progressively until he must stop. Pain resolves within 20-30 minutes of rest but recurs with subsequent exercise at the same threshold. He denies pain at rest, numbness, or weakness. Examination at rest is entirely normal. He has been evaluated for stress fractures (negative bone scan) and medial tibial stress syndrome (no medial tibial tenderness). Regarding the pathophysiology and presentation of chronic exertional compartment syndrome:
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CHRONIC EXERTIONAL COMPARTMENT SYNDROME (CECS) results from elevated intracompartmental pressure dur...
The ANTERIOR compartment is most commonly affected (45%), followed by the LATERAL compartment (40%),...
CECS causes irreversible muscle necrosis similar to acute compartment syndrome; the superficial post...
ANTERIOR compartment CECS may cause transient FOOT DROP during or after exercise (deep peroneal nerv...
The DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS includes medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS/shin splints), tibial stress...
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Click T (True) or F (False) for each option