Compartment syndrome is a painful condition, with muscle pressure reaching dangerous levels. Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency, usually caused by trauma, like a car accident or broken bone. Chronic (or exertional) compartment syndrome is caused by intense, repetitive exercise and usually stops with rest or changes in routine.

Increased pressure in a muscle compartment (grouping of muscles, nerves and blood vessels) causing muscle and nerve damage along with pain.

The symptoms include:

• A deep aching pain in arm or leg (lasts for few minutes)

• Swelling and tightness

• Numbness

• Pin and needles type of pain

• Visible muscle bulging

• Tingling or burning sensation in the skin

• Severe pain that increases with the stretching of muscles

• Difficulty in moving the foot/ foot drop

• Physical exam: The healthcare provider will look for signs you might have something else. For example, the provider will check your tendons for tendinitis and your shins for shin splints.

• X-ray: The healthcare provider may ask for an X-ray to see if you have a fracture.

• Compartment pressure measurement test: If the provider suspects compartment syndrome, you’ll need a test to measure the pressure. The provider will insert a needle into the muscle. A machine attached to the needle will give the pressure reading. The healthcare provider may insert the needle in several different places.

• Repeat pressure test: For exertional compartment syndrome, the test gets repeated after you exercise. The healthcare provider will compare before and after results.

Acute compartment syndrome must get immediate treatment. A surgeon will perform an operation called a fasciotomy. To relieve pressure, the surgeon makes an incision (cut) through the skin and the fascia (compartment cover).

After the swelling and pressure go away, the surgeon will close the incision. Sometimes that can’t happen right away. The surgeon may do a skin graft, taking skin from another area of your body to put over the incision.

If untreated for a prolonged period it may lead to

• Permanent damage to nerve or blood vessels

• Loss of functioning of any muscle or nerve

• Necrosis

• Rhabdomyolysis

• Kidney failure

• Permanent foot drop

• Amputation

• Infection

• Rate each affected muscle group separately and combine in accordance with 38 CFR 4.25.

• None.