Compartment syndrome
(12 discussions)
I am an avid squash player and was diagnosed (slick catheter) of having compartment syndrome in both shins. I have had surgery and went through rehab. However, the symptoms remain and I think are worse only now I get a burning in my calves first and then to my shins. Sometimes if I rest and then continue it is bearable. I do seem to have pronounced muscles in my shins. Any one had any ideas?
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12 comments
DSA
myofascial release is an excellent way of releasing compartment syndrome and should be fully investigated before going for surgery – a number of orthopaedic surgeons here in the UK and Ireland now recognise the powerful benefits there are to be gained from myofascial release for conditions like CS. I know of a number of NMTs (Neuromuscular Therapists) in Britain who have sucessfully treated suffers and have averted surgery – in their cases, for what ever reason, the fascia tightens and becomes gelous and does not slide or move apppropriately, the muscle tissue inside expands so it’s a bit like filling a sock with damp sand until it stretches the sock to the point where it will not stretch any more – somethings gotta give!! anyway what is crucial is an accurate diagnosis of what’s causing CS if that is what is wrong -I suspect though that more often than is the cause than actually suspected is fascially related. Best wishes to you and your mum – hope you get a result soon.
anitraangel
Thanks for the description the the massage technique. the ortho doc can’t do the pressure test until january 8th geesh!!!! My mom is in so much pain with this…..she was feeling fine this morning and then she started to move around the house cleaning and then there went the pain in her legs. She is going to page her primary doc and see if someone else can’t do this test. I’ll post when they do the test. Thanks again!! any more info from anyone would be greatly appreciated on compartment syndrome.
aabramson5
Myofascial Release is a specialized massage technique whereby the therapist works on both the superfiscial and deep layers of the fascia (the sheath that surrounds groups of muscles as well as each individual muscle and inside the muscle cells) to help release/stretch them. It is a very slow-style technique and is not like deep tissue work in any way. It is a soothing and comforting style of treatment as well. When you have restricted fascia (Compartment Syndrome is a prime example) it makes it very difficult to reach or work on the muscle itself as you are really only pressing on the fascia. I hope this helps.
-Andrew
anitraangel
Thanks for responding to us. The way that I feel my mom’s legs (shins & calves) is like a water balloon that feels way overfilled and if you rub it, it will pop. This ortho said that it will feel hard as a rock. So i wanted to get some feed back to see if this is true to others who have c/s. Thanks for responding!! finally. I hope your dr. appt goes well! My mom had severe pain today and i massaged her for about 1 hour and it helped it a little bit. She is even taking vicodin for now for the pain which she hatess!!! taking…..1 pill vicodin does not even work it just makes her sleep and then when she wakes up its the vicious cycle all over again. anyways before this becomes too long thanks again. & I will post what happens with the tests. She is possibly going to have angiogram this week along with the pressure test! ouch!! 2 in 1 week. she just had a muscle biopsy about 3 weeks ago. I pray that this is it….even if it does mean surgery…she needs something!
rologuth
I started this thread. I read your email about trying to feel out compartment syndrome. I personally have not noticed that. They do become tight but I don’t know that I would notice it to the touch. Your mom’s symptoms do sound like cs. As for the myofascial release, I do have a friend who specializes in that. He says that I am extremely tight. However, he can’t seem to massage it out, which leads me to believe that it may be something else. I am going to the doctor tomorrow, I’ll let you know what he says.
anitraangel
I have a question about the myofascial massage. What exactly is this? Does this stretch the sheath that surrounds each muscle compartment? Does anyone know if this could help stop the symptoms of compartment syndrome and the long term effects of the massage. Is this massage a deep tissue of low pressure massage? Please help?!?! Thanx. We are still waiting for the dr. to set up the appt for the compartment pressure testing. Please would someone respond to this message and the other one that I posted on my mom. Thanks!
aabramson5
Hello,
I am a new member into the massage therapy industry (4 months now), and have been working with sports athletes at some local universities who have compartment syndrome. Some of my early efforts to help them relieve pain were only somewhat valuable to them, and last week I worked with one athlete and utilized a technique called myofascial release. She loved it! And I recognized some amazing value as I felt her tissue relieve. I certainly do not know any long term outcomes yet, but it may be another avenue for you (massage and/or myofascial release treatment).
Good luck,
-Andrew
anitraangel
Hi,
I have a question about compartment syndrome. My mom has now had severe pain in her legs now for 2 years. They attributed this pain to bakers cysts. Did surgery in April of 2003. She felt relief for about 2mths. Then the pain came back different the beginning of July 2003. She is now in the process of being diagnosed with compartment syndrome, along with muscle atrophy that she developed because not being able to excercise due to the pain of walking/excercising. She went to a Ortho sports doc and he didn’t do the pressure test but told her if she had c/s her calves would be severly tight upon touch. She went to another dr. a rehab sports med dr. that still wants her to have the pressure test done & a circul. test done. She has been tested for everything in the book (except compartment syndrome) Has anyone heard of your calves feeling hard by touch of the hand. She also feels this pain when she walks, and the pain when at rest but not as intense. She also has cold feet and cold spots on her legs. I have massaged her and this seems to help some, I think because I stretch the sheath. Her pain is mostly located in her shins and calves. She was very active before this all happened. anyone please give me some insight! Thanks! email us at either or
Muscledawg
You might have an arterial entrapment syndrome rather than the compartment syndrome. They can manifiest similarly and even co-exist as the compartment pressure increase (which wouldn’t cause a problem on its own) provides enough pressure to entrap an artery (usually the popiteal artery) at the knee. Suggest to you doctor measuring your ankle to brachial pressure index with and without symptoms. If there is a significant drop in that figure with symptoms that may be your problem.
Good Luck,
Muscledawg.
JAMES101
let me know your outcome.
are the symptons i described similar to yours?
rologuth
I am now going for a nerve conduction test as they now think that maybe I am compressing a nerve somewhere.
JAMES101
same as me. i had a bilateral fascitomy a few years back but no success.
i still get the lower leg ache which is worse when i run but its really bad if i swim in a heated pool. within a few minutes my lower legs are like dead weights and really throbbing. also about two years back the ache appeared in both my arms (just happened suddenly as with my legs).
since then i had tests (including a painful biopsy) for neuro-muscular diseases which all prove negative. i also had a back scan but again it was negative. i guess you can try both of these tests yourself.
Strangely i find running in cold weather (and sea swimming) ok and can do a reasonable workout. The only good thing is that the ache has not got any worse in fact it probably is better than it was about 5 years ago.
good luck