Compartment syndrome is a painful condition that occurs when pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels. This pressure can decrease blood flow, preventing nourishment and oxygen from reaching nerve and muscle cells. Compartment syndrome can be either acute or chronic.
What are the five signs of compartment syndrome?
Common Signs and Symptoms: The “5 P’s” are often associated with compartment syndrome: pain, pallor (pale skin tone), paraesthesia (numbness feeling), pulselessness (faint pulse) and paralysis (weakness with movements). Numbness, tingling, or pain may be present in the entire lower leg and foot.
What causes compartment syndrome in the legs?
Compartment syndrome describes increased pressure within the arm or leg muscle compartment. It is most often due to injury, such as fracture, that causes bleeding in a muscle, which then causes increased pressure in the strength. This pressure increase causes nerve damage due to decreased blood supply.
Certain factors increase your risk of developing chronic exertional compartment syndrome, including:
Age. Although people of any age can develop chronic exertional compartment syndrome, the condition is most common in male and female athletes under age 30.
Type of exercise. Repetitive impact activity — such as running — increases your risk of developing the condition.
Overtraining. Working out too intensely or too frequently can raise your risk of chronic exertional compartment syndrome.
We can help ease and relieve your symptoms with therapeutic massage, osteopathic treatment, cupping massage or Hijama.
