What it is
In the acute form, the pain is out of proportion to the injury and gets worse even with strong painkillers. Delay can lead to permanent muscle and nerve damage.
Chronic exertional compartment syndrome often affects runners. It may be managed by changing training, or with surgery if symptoms persist.
Common signs
- Severe pain that is worse than expected for the injury
- Pain when the muscle is stretched
- A tight, swollen feeling in the limb
- Tingling or numbness
- In the chronic form: cramping pain during exercise that eases with rest
How it is usually diagnosed
- Examination
- Measuring the pressure inside the muscle compartment
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Emergency and operation notes
- Pressure test results
- Physiotherapy plans
Questions to ask your doctor
- Will I need further operations or skin grafts?
- What recovery should I expect?
- For the chronic form, can I keep exercising?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Severe, worsening pain after an injury or in a cast, especially with numbness: go to an emergency department immediately
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.