Footnotes / Blog
Chronic exertional compartment syndrome is an exercise-induced muscle and nerve condition that causes pain, swelling and sometimes disability in the affected muscles of your legs.
This condition most commonly presents in athletes who participate in activities that involve repetitive impact, such as running. It is often confused with shin splints, as the pain typically presents on the front of your lower legs.
Signs and Symptoms
- Aching, burning or cramping pain
- Usually following this pattern
- Begins after a certain time, distance or intensity of exertion after you start exercising.
- Progressively worsens as you exercise
- Subsides within 10 to 20 minutes of stopping the activity
- Over time, recovery time after exercise often increases
- Usually following this pattern
- Tightness
- Numbness/tingling
- Weakness
Cause
The exact cause of this condition isn’t completely understood. However, we do know it is associated with increased pressure in a muscle compartment with exertion.
Increased blood flow to a muscle during exercise is related to the pain due to the pressure that the volume of fluid brings with it.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Excluding other conditions, such as stress fractures and shin splints is how a doctor usually comes to diagnose exertional compartment syndrome.
Treatment initially includes activity modification, change of shoes, change of activity and therapeutic exercises (stretching and foam rolling). Physical Therapy may also be prescribed.
If conservative treatment fails, surgery would be discussed with you by your doctor.
The doctors and Innovative Foot and Ankle are well trained in providing care for sports related injuries of the lower legs and feet. If you have pain in this region, visit one of our northern New Jersey Offices. We are located in Montclair, Kenilworth, Little Ferry and Bayonne.