What are the signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome?
The most common signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome include:
- Visible bulging or swelling around a muscle.
- Muscle pain (more severe than the usual soreness you’d feel after intense activity).
- Tightness.
- Severe pain when stretching.
- Numbness.
- Tingling or a burning feeling under your skin (paresthesia).
- Feeling like your muscle is fuller, firmer or bigger than usual.
What is the main cause of compartment syndrome?
Compartment syndrome happens when an injury or repeated stress causes swelling and bleeding inside a muscle compartment. If the pressure builds too much, your muscles press against the fascia that holds them in place.
The fascia has some natural ability to stretch and expand, but not much. If pressure keeps building in the compartment, the fascia eventually runs out of room and starts squeezing against your muscles and nerves. This squeezing is what causes pain and other symptoms.
If you’ve ever worn a pair of shoes that’s a size or two too small, you’ve probably experienced a similar buildup of pressure. Early in the day, your feet may fit comfortably in the shoes. But as the day goes on and you walk and move, your feet naturally start to swell. By the end of the day, those shoes that felt “fine enough” in the morning may feel like they’re vice grips on your feet. Compartment syndrome is much more dangerous because that kind of pressure happens inside your body.
What causes compartment syndrome depends on which type you have.
Acute compartment syndrome causes
Severe injuries are the most common cause of acute compartment syndrome, including:
- Car accidents.
- Falling from a high place (like off a roof or ladder).
- Bone fractures (broken bones).
- Crushing injuries (when something heavy falls on you).
- Severe muscle contusions.
- Sports injuries.
- Complications after surgery.
- Complications from wearing a cast or splint that’s too tight.
- Prolonged pressure on an arm or leg after not moving for several hours at a time.
Chronic compartment syndrome causes
Chronic (exertional) compartment syndrome usually builds up over time. Frequent, intense exercise is the most common cause. Doing the same kind of workout or training can put repeated stress on the same muscles and cause a pressure build-up. Some common causes include:
- Running.
- Biking.
- Swimming.
- Weightlifting.
It’s less common, but doing a repetitive motion at work or for a hobby can also cause chronic compartment syndrome.
What are the risk factors?
Anyone can develop acute compartment syndrome because it happens after sudden injuries.
Athletes and people with physically demanding jobs are more likely to overtrain or overwork their muscles and develop chronic compartment syndrome.
People with hemophilia and other types of blood disorders may have an increased risk.
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What are compartment syndrome complications?
Compartment syndrome can cause serious complications.
If the pressure in a muscle compartment gets too high, your tissues won’t get enough fresh blood, oxygen and nutrients. This can lead to tissue death (necrosis), which causes permanent damage.
Acute compartment syndrome can be fatal if it’s not treated right away. Go to the emergency room if you think you have acute compartment syndrome.
