Compartment Syndrome, Animation

Anatomy (fascia), pathophysiology, types of compartment syndrome: acute and chronic (exertional) compartment syndromes: causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. For patient education.
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Voice by : Marty Henne
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The muscles in the body, together with blood vessels and nerves that supply them, are organized into compartments, each of which is encased in a thin but tough membrane called a fascia. For example, the lower leg has 4 muscle compartments: anterior, lateral, superficial posterior, and deep posterior. The function of the fascia is to keep the muscles in place; its ability to expand is limited.
Compartment syndrome develops when excessive swelling or bleeding increases the muscle volume beyond the ability of the fascia to stretch. As a result, pressure within the closed compartment rises, impairing blood flow. Without oxygen and nutrients from the blood, muscle and nerve cells cannot function properly and eventually die.
Compartment syndrome occurs most often in the lower leg, especially in the anterior compartment, but it may also happen in the thighs, feet, arms, hands, abdomen and buttocks.
The earliest, and also most prominent symptom is pain, which intensifies when muscles are stretched. The muscles can feel tight and swollen. When nerves are affected, patients can feel tingling, burning sensations, as well as numbness and muscle weakness. These are signs that permanent tissue damage has occurred.
There are 2 types of compartment syndrome: acute and chronic.
Acute compartment syndrome is typically due to a serious injury that results in internal bleeding or swelling, causing compartment pressure to rise rapidly to a dangerous level. Other possible causes include having casts or large bandages that are too tight, use of anabolic steroids that increase muscle size too quickly, and sudden return of blood flow after it was blocked for a long time, such as during a surgery or loss of consciousness. The pain associated with acute compartment syndrome is typically severe, much more than it is expected from the injury alone. Diagnosis is by physical exam, X-ray imaging to detect fractures, and compartment pressure measurement tests. Acute compartment syndrome requires emergency surgery to cut open the fascia to relieve pressure.
Chronic compartment syndrome, also known as exertional compartment syndrome, is most commonly caused by muscle exertion, such as overtraining in athletes. Sports that involve repetitive movements such as running, biking, and swimming, pose a higher risk. People with less flexible fascia are more susceptible than others. The pain typically comes during exercise, intensifies as it continues, but usually resolves within half an hour of rest. Over time, however, symptoms can get worse and take longer to subside.
Unlike the acute condition, chronic compartment syndrome is usually not dangerous, simply because the pain typically stops people from continuing the causative activities before their nerves and muscles are permanently damaged.
Diagnosis is by ruling out other causes, and involves physical exam, imaging studies, and compartment pressure measurement tests. X-ray imaging is used to rule out fractures. MRI scans can help evaluate muscle structure and assess fluid volume. Another technique, near-infrared spectroscopy, measures the oxygen saturation level. These tests are non-invasive and are therefore preferred over the invasive compartment pressure testing. The tests are done before and after exercise.
Chronic compartment syndrome can be prevented by doing low-impact exercise; alternating different types of exercise to avoid repeating the same movements for too long; building endurance slowly, not abruptly; working out on a softer surface; and wearing proper shoes. Anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy may help some patients. However, people who want to return to the offending sport usually need surgery to release the fascia.

[@Alilamedicalmedia]

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[@haiffaalkureidi6806]

Simple, clear and comprehensive explanation👍👍👍

[@tamzidhasan2389]

All medical students love this KZbin channel♥

[@uwezimmermann5427]

I had a bilateral acute compartment syndrome in 1998 in the lower legs and ended up in hospital. Two muscles had to be removed.

[@APEExplore]

hi doctor. I had compartment syndrome because the bandage was too tight for a fracture. now water bubbles appear on the skin, is removing the bandage enough to overcome it? or do I have to use medicini?. Thank you for answering me.

[@Alilamedicalmedia]

You should get it checked by your doctor asap. No one can help effectively without checking it in person. Good luck!

[@APEExplore]

@@Alilamedicalmedia ok. Thanks you. 👍

[@artrobinhozr829]

​@@Alilamedicalmedia I feel numbness in the anterior leg muscle after I underwent the cruciate ligament surgery. Please respond🙏

[@ahmedalkindi7905]

When do I apply the anti inflammation? And does zero drop shoes works with compartment syndrome, or does it make it worse?

[@patriciaoreilly8907]

Great video as lately every night I have pain in my left leg very painful not sure if it's Arthritis. Pain in ankle etc . Will walking a lot help the condition or swimming.

[@maryfregain4648]

I can no longer walk as a rule I can only walk to my bathroom and to the Kitchen

[@lizhall2961]

If it is cramping pain, you need to see a doctor to get a diagnosis. It could be serious. Mild exercise often helps arthritis, but a physical therapist can give you guidance on which exercise is the best.

[@kitpesec1536]

Great video! 👍🙏thank you))

[@brigittescott2438]

How does falanga cause closed compartment syndrome. Is it the bruises from falanga or that more blood flows to the injury? What can be done for chronic closed compartment syndrome?? Will the pain end?

[@Matowix]

I lost my lower leg from this after a motorcycle accident in cuba

[@andyrojas289]

I wanted to look at what my mom has after a car wreck she had and ever since then her foot is swelled up and i just trying to figure out what it is

[@QualityQuotesQQ]

very strange and hard diagnose... i had acute compartment syndrome the pain is awesome and it is possible to amputate your leg.

[@abdulmalikhaidar679]

قوووه القووه Very powerful

[@حسانحواط]

تحية طيبة تحية كبيرة 👍👏👍👏

[@mathews0618]

My lower calves feel like this when i start running sometimes. Feet go numb. After an hour it clears up and never comes back. Wondering if its muscle inflammation from overuse

[@juli.strange9988]

Sounds more like PAD

[@mathews0618]

@@juli.strange9988 what is that

[@juli.strange9988]

@@mathews0618 just Google PAD arteries

[@lapson19]

get tested for chronic compartment syndrome. i did, pressures were way to high. surgery is easy, same day i walked out of hospital. 1 week later back on treadmill everyday with no pain.

[@wilkensbrito2879]

What, how do you feel numbness? 😅

[@Pathologyformedicalstudents]

Numbness is a late sign of compartment syndrome.

[@wilkensbrito2879]

@@Pathologyformedicalstudents I trust you just because you are Pathology for medical students lol

[@Pathologyformedicalstudents]

@@wilkensbrito2879 😂👍👍

[@artrobinhozr829]

​@@Pathologyformedicalstudents I feel numbness in the anterior leg muscle after I underwent the cruciate ligament surgery. Please respond🙏

[@jessedelgado9022]

Just had a four compartment fasciotomy 😡🤮 it freaking sucked

[@EvaK7]

👍🏻

[@nickiapalucci1328]

I had this happen to me I was in the hospital for 3 months almost lost my right leg. It was hell

[@nickiapalucci1328]

It was due to rhabdomyolysis had to have dual fasciotomy

[@maryjanecampion1706]

@@nickiapalucci1328 OH MY NICK I AM SO SORRY YOU HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS !!! I AM GOING THROUGH UNREAL PAIN FROM REMOVAL OF A HUGH MELANOMA ON INSIDE IF FOOT ! NOW MY FOOT IS SO SWOLLEN , SEVERE PAIN ,NUMB AND WONT MOVE !!! HOPE YOU ARE DOING GOOD NOW !!!!