An Overview of Compartment Syndrome
Compartment syndrome is a serious condition occurring when there is a large amount of pressure inside groups of muscle tissue known as a compartment. The tissue along with the blood vessels and nerves in your arms and legs are surrounded by a strong membrane called the fascia.
The Fascia does not expand so if a compartment was to swell this can result in an increase of pressure within the compartment, which leads to injury to the muscles, blood vessels and nerves. This much increase in pressure can actually cut off blood flow to the compartment. Therefore resulting in a loss of oxygen going to the tissues, (ischemia) and cellular death (necrosis).
Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome
Chronic exertional compartment syndrome: An exercise induced muscle and nerve condition that causes pain, swelling and sometimes disability in the affected muscle compartments of your legs or arms.
Taking a complete break from exercise or performing only low-impact activity might relieve your symptoms, but usually only temporarily.
Some symptoms of Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome:-
- Aching, burning or cramping pain in the affected limb
- Tightness in the affected limb
- Numbness or tingling in the affected limb
- Occasionally, swelling or bulging as a result of a muscle hernia
- Weakness of the affected limb
- Foot drop, in severe cases, if legs are affected
- Often occurs in the same compartment of both legs
Acute Compartment Syndrome
Acute Compartment Syndrome: Normally occurs after experiencing a major injury. However, it has been found to have also developed from minor injuries. A patient may develop Compartment Syndrome:-
- Following a fracture
- After an injury that crushes arm or leg
- As a result of a severely bruised muscle
- From wearing a cast or tight bandage
- From heavy drinking
- Drug use
Request a copy of our Brochure
Get in touch
Maltron International Ltd
20 Sirdar Road, Rayleigh,
Essex, SS6 7XF
Tel: +44 (0)1268 778251
Fax: +44 (0)1268 745176
Email: info@maltronint.com
The new BioScan touch i8
Smart technology that understands your
language, learns from your experience and helps provide better patient outcome.
The Body Composition Monitor of tomorrow defining new standards.
