I’m not a marathon runner. In fact I don’t really even think I’m that much of an athlete. However I have suffered from chronic exertional compartment syndrome and have since had surgery to correct it. I thought I’d write about my experience here in the hopes that someone might find it useful.
A Little Bit of History
I was very active, mostly with a lot of squash, premier netball, as well as the odd game of touch rugby. I had had a tightening of what I thought were the muscles on the outside of my legs for some time and had asked various people if they knew how to stretch them. I’m fairly au fait with anatomy after studying it at school but even I couldn’t figure it out. They’d been uncomfortable mostly while I was playing netball, but I put it down to not being as fit as I could be and put up with the pain.
It wasn’t until one day I was playing squash when the pain got so bad I had to come off the court. Luckily the manager of the team I was training with happened to be a physiotherapist and mentioned that the symptoms I was describing sounded like compartment syndrome. I was training for squash nationals and playing finals netball so I didn’t want to stop. I’m also fairly stubborn when it comes to pain stopping me doing things (says the girl who walked home one day with two badly sprained ankles!) so I didn’t treat this any differently.
With squash nationals done and dusted, I moved away from the city where I first heard about compartment syndrome a few months later but began to research it online. It wasn’t until one day I left the squash court and ended up on the floor in tears from the pain that I knew I had to do something about it.
What causes the pain?
When we exercise, the body pumps blood to the muscles that are being worked, causing the muscles to swell or expand. The muscles are contained within a sheath. You know when you buy meat from the supermarket and it sometimes has that clear, stretchy stuff on it? That clear covering is the sheath. When people with compartment syndrome exercise, there’s not enough room within the sheath for the expanding muscle, therefore pressure builds and pain arises. A friend of mine once used a great analogy – it’s like trying to blow a balloon (muscle) up inside a drink bottle (sheath). It just doesn’t work.
Doing Something About it
I went to my GP who referred me to a specialist sports practitioner, who then referred me to a surgeon who specialised in compartment syndrome. Said surgeon sent me for tests (which, by the way, aren’t covered by ACC as the ‘injury’ is deemed to be progressive – kind of like RSI which, incidentally, IS covered).
Honestly, if there were a best part about having CECS, it would have to be seeing a medical practitioner about this condition and watching their eyes light up when you tell them what you have. It’s not a common condition and I think they get a little bit excited when they get to deal with something different from the norm. I digress!
By the time I got the appointment for pressure tests, I had developed drop-foot (or foot-drop as it’s otherwise known) which is when your foot makes a distinctive “slapping” sound as you walk because you can’t lift the front of your foot properly. I couldn’t walk more than 100 metres without the pain getting so bad I’d have to stop. Ten minutes after ceasing exercise, I was fine – which was probably the single most frustrating thing about the entire condition.
The Pressure Tests
I will not lie. The tests are not pleasant. Basically I had three injections of anaesthetic (in marked spots) into each leg to numb the areas for when the BIG needle gets inserted. I was then told to do an activity that causes the pain and come back to the room once it comes on. The specialist was surprised that I was back within five minutes, even though I’d continued as long as I possibly could because I wanted to be sure I got the results I knew would come.
The second round of injections measure the pressure inside the compartments of your leg. Anything over 30mmHg is “surgery territory”. As a gauge, my worst compartment was ~90mmHg. No wonder I was in so much pain!
As a result of the pressure tests, it was recommended that I be prioritised for surgery and I was placed on a waiting list. Through a mix of medical misadventure and me moving city again (and therefore District Health Board jurisdiction) it took me a further 8 months before I finally got my surgery. Bearing in mind that this was around two years after I had initially consulted my GP, I was virtually unable to walk and had put on a lot of weight – a horrible side affect for someone who used to be so active.
Finally! The Surgery
The technical name for the surgery I had was bilateral tricompartmental fasciotomies, which loosely translates to having three compartments in each leg released. When I say released… they make an incision, then cut open the sheath that holds the muscle in place. It basically allows the muscle to expand as large as it needs to when you’re exercising.
It was an overnight stay in Middlemore Hospital for me (and I’m thankful it was only one night!). When it was time to go home, I actually managed to stand up with my legs supporting my full weight while I got dressed. The only piece of advice I can give you is DON’T DO THIS. You may think you won’t move, but you will and it hurts! I was in a wheelchair to start of with, but given crutches before I left the hospital.
Healing Time
I have two scars on each leg – one on the outside above my ankle bone about four inches long and one on the inside of my leg toward the front about midway up my lower leg – about three inches long.
The advice I had read and was given was that it should be around 12 weeks until I could get 100% back into sport. This wasn’t the case for me, however. I went back to work two weeks after surgery (I recommend taking longer – perhaps another week) and even though I held a sedentary position, my ankles and feet would swell up enormously after keeping them “down” for the day, even though I had tried to elevate them as much as I could.
My employer at the time was less than supportive, even though I’d requested that I work from home. If you can, I would definitely aim for three weeks to recover. I was walking without crutches after one week but would still get pain and swelling in the week following. My recovery wasn’t aided by a minor infection in one of the wounds either, so I now have a more prominent scar than I would have otherwise.
Getting back into the Swing of Sport
So, after my two years of not being able to do anything, I was finally free to get back into sport! Unfortunately for me, I don’t think my body was as keen as my mind was and I was bogged down with miscellaneous injuries over the coming year (including prolapsed discs in my back and strained calf muscles). It’s now been around 15 months since I had the surgery and I’m finally uninjured enough to get back on the exercise wagon – enough to hopefully start losing some of the 20kg I packed on over the time I was involuntarily inactive.
Even when running now, I get numbness in my toes and feet. Areas of my leg, ankle and foot are still numb due to the nerves being severed during surgery but I’m hoping to get most of that feeling back. I still get some fatigue and soreness in the same areas as before but nowhere near the amount of agony I was in pre-surgery. My legs are also a funny “shape” because the muscles bulge out in places they didn’t bulge before, but it’s purely aesthetic and I knew to expect that. They are though, still a lot more svelt and “spongey” to the touch than they were pre-surgery. My poor legs.. what an ordeal!
Further Information
If you have any questions, you can contact me or leave a comment on this post.
Here are some websites I found useful:
MayoClinic – Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (Highly Recommended)
Wikipedia – Chronic Compartment Syndrome
EDIT: I have now also created a Facebook page. See https://www.facebook.com/compartmentsyndrome/
Following accident June 12 / 2016 Compartment Syndrome (L) Leg.
From broken tibia & fibula the massive swelling in the lower leg reached such a proportion it was time for the Op Suite and the Orthopedic Surgeon……having taken some 12 hours to get to see the Orthopedic Dr from when I was 1st picked up by ambulance oh no……………………..Said the surgeon it’s taken too long……………..So this maybe an above the knee amputation !! It was the system that let me down. Very luckily I kept the leg !! He is a fantastic surgeon and supported My Wife and I all the way. 3 times back in theater to flush out dead tissue and this caused the Foot Drop. bugger…………………..
BTW. The Ambulance Officer had identified Compartment Syndrome!!!
THe other complications were many. DVT’s (deep vein thrombosis ) a huge blood clot was dissolved with blood thinner ‘Warfarin’ and boy as that a terrible time for me. My metabolism could not displace the dose so it built up so as to be Hospitalised twice. Vitamin K is an antidote and a bloody big needle as well.
Three weeks in acute care, eight weeks in rehab. Nine months on the pain in my leg and foot is still bad. Nights are the worst, days I can handle with meds.
I can’t lift my toes but I can feel the muscles in the calf wanting to. No problems with other movements. Already having ‘Sciolous and degenerative and genetical problems’ my spine is on it’s last legs. OHh what a state of affairs.
Can you guys recommend me a doctor who has done Chronic compartment syndrome surgery numerous times in Georgia? or any state in the USA?
I actually just had the lower right leg anterior and posterior fasciotomy THIS MORNING. My Doctor is out of Fall River, MA (Glenn Dubler); by far the absolute BEST orthopaedic surgeon I have EVER met.
Ya they say 4 weeks at first and every doctor will give you different recovery times my surgeon says its permanent. It just depends on the person
My dr in Michigan says he does them often. Michael Donahue (advanced orthopedics out of Auburn hills)
I will tell you I had Dr. Moore at Elite Sports Medicine in Nashville do mine and he works on our professional hockey team and football team so he’s really good and he takes most insurance. Might want to google Elite Sports Medicine in Nashville and try them.
I briefly read a few of the comments and it seems most of you have experienced acute compartment syndrome, which is different from chronic.
On that note, I had surgery 3 weeks ago, went back to work after 4 days (desk job). I stood on my tip toes the other day without thinking about it, and now one of my legs is tight again, like it was before the surgery. Will this go away?
I had severe acute compartment syndrome secondary to a recluse bite so our stories are very different and my recovery (4 months post op trauma fasciotomy and excision of wound over my shin) has been very difficult, but I was told that any stretching of the muscles (like when on tip toes) can cause inflammation but it’s normal to have it up to 8 weeks after when everything is healing well. You won’t have a reoccurrence of CS because the fascia is left open to allow for swelling.
I had developed foot drop but not in a typical presentation. I had lost the pulse in my foot which was later discovered to be from massive bleeding from the vessels deep in my muscle and suffered a perineal nerve compression injury along with sensory nerve damage that caused my to lose all feeling and movement in my foot.
My case is one in a million from what I was told but along with all the unusual stuff, I have had a lot of the normal things that come along with it. I fully stopped swelling around 7-8 weeks.
Has anyone has had the surgery for a second time? If so, how did it went for them? I had a bilateral fasciotomy on my both legs with 4 incisions. is the re-surgery the best option? What should I do?
This is my second surgery completed today. First bilateral one was approximately 6 weeks ago
Hi Jen,
DId your tightness go away? I had surgery for chronic compartment syndrome coming up 2 years ago and although I don’t get the pain I used to in my shins any more, now I get pain/extreme tightness up the backs of my lower legs which is stopping me being able to do simple exercise. I went for physio which I didn’t find helpful and have recently started to get sports massage which is sore but helps to relax it for a while. Would be good to hear your experience or if anyone else has had similar problem to me?
Hi,
I have seen a lot of comments that talk about chronic CS, my case appears to be less common. I was admitted to hospital via the emergency room. My symptoms were attributed to pneumonia complicated by acute kidney failure I was treated with emergency dialysis and antibiotics. The pneumonia had caused dehydration to the point that doctors were unable to place a line for the dialysis connection and were forced to install a steel tube into left leg bone marrow to get blood flow to the dialysis machine. At some point following the placement of the line into the bone the tube was dislodged and pressured up the compartments in my left leg. An emergency fasciotomy was performed on my left leg in the ER leaving two 6″ scars on my inner and outer calf. This surgery had no relation to the problems that brought me to the hospital. It was an unfortunate event that has left me with nerve damage and consequent “Foot Drop”.
I am 6 weeks post surgery I have been evaluated by a specialist who performed an ENG test to establish a base line for the state of the nerves in my leg to be followed up with the same tests in 90 days to see if there is any change (hopefully improvement). I am taking gabapentin for nerve pain which is pretty much continuous at a level between 3 and 4 out of ten. The meds will give me relief for a couple of hours making it possible to get out and shop for groceries when needed. I take hydromorphone for surgical pain which I intend to revise to Tylenol as the surgery heals. I have been fitted with an orthotic device that wraps my calf and supports the bottom of my foot. This device has a rubber hinge that prevents my foot from drooping when I walk. I have a similar device for when I sleep that keeps my Achilles tendon extended to prevent shortening and subsequent gait issues assuming the nerve damage resolves. I experience swelling in my left foot when I leave my foot down or walk around for awhile. The swelling goes down overnight when I get horizontal but quickly returns in the morning. I am planning to increase the time I have it elevated to see if that helps. My GP informs me that the swelling should diminish as the tissues affected by the surgery heal and blood vessels remodel. I am told the nerves regenerate at a rate of 1mm per day and a bit longer at points where the nerve has been nicked or compressed and longer still to bridge any breaks. At the end of the day it is very difficult to nail down the length of time it will take to fully restore sensation to my foot if it happens at all. Best case, I anticipate living with drop foot and nerve pain for a minimum of a year. The pneumonia was serious and coupled with the kidney failure it put me in the ICU unconscious for 6 days and hospitalized for a month, I feel fortunate to have survived. That said, the fallout from the fasciotomy sucks and I will be dealing with it for years. Fortunately my work does not require me being on my feet so I can still make a living and I am not athletic so no loss there. Best wishes and good luck to all those who are afflicted with this nasty health problem.
Curious if anyone has any information to help.
I grew up being an active volleyball player and snowboarder. About 4 years ago I developed pain in my right leg and was diagnosed as shin splints so I began PT to help massage my muscles and release the pain. This PT never ended up changing any of the pain I was having so I kind of gave up. So I proceeded to go on a snowboarding trip to Colorado, the pain became more intense and seemed to have moved to my left leg as well, I ended up leaving my trip with swelling on my right leg as big as a golf ball. Came home and was diagnosed with compartment syndrome in both of my legs, and had surgery a month later. The healing process was fine, but my doctor told me PT wasn’t necessary and all I needed to do was massage my muscles once the scars closed. I massaged my legs and everything seemed to have healed properly. Except two years later I am having the same pain in my right leg, is it possible my surgery wasn’t successful? Should I just give up on snowboarding completely and stick to exercises without a lot of leg pressure?
Hi guys, great reading all the comments I was looking for a case like mine but didn’t see one ( unless I missed it ).
I’m 41 years old and wrecked my leg skateboarding, I basically fell about 6 foot and landed on a straight leg pushing my knee In to my tibia splitting it down the middle. I wasn’t sure what I had done and thought it was just jarred or I’d pulled some muscles so I didn’t go to the hospital for a few hours till it really starting hurting. They X-rayed it saw the break then put it I a temp cast till the next day when they saw the swelling and realised I had CS. I was rushed to a different hospital for surgery to release the pressure and bolt the bone but it was 24 hours after the injury when this happend.
After a few weeks of watching the open wound the muscles were dying and 3 had to be removed, 5 surgerys Later I have a scar from my ankle to the knee, a large indent along side my tibia and I will have permanent drop foot.
It’s been six weeks now and everything is going ok I think a lot of swelling, pain, numbness in the foot though. But down to the point of writing this I was wondering if anybody has had muscles removed and how the recovery went particularly what complications and struggles you encountered with recovery.
Cheers
You have acute compartment syndrome, not chronic . I can’t answer your question, but it might help to research acute instead of chronic
My compartment syndrome is similar to Todds. I was in Germany on the auto Hahn helping someone in a wreck and was hit by a car, broke my fibula and tibula and tore my cal and mcl.. Had surgery that night and the next day my leg was swollen and they had to cut it open and sit for a week, I’d develop complete syndrome and like Todd, 5 surgeries later I’m left with a scar from my knee to my ankle and a huge skin graph..
My 16 year old daughter had the big muscles removed from her forearm and tendons only 2 days ago. This was her 9th op as she kept getting banged and getting recurring CS.
She needs to have further surgery next week to close it with a skin free flap.
She also developed a wrist drop – volkmann contracture
i don’t have a website like this, so i’ll tag my experiences on to these comments. if someone is willing to get to mine after reading the above 82 comments- then they are probably researching this pretty intensely or have CS and are looking to see whats in store and if their experiences are normal.
so here goes- shattered my lower leg in a bad off-road motorcycle accident. went to emergency room where they waited approximately 13-14 hours before they operated. in that time, i developed CS. the internal bleeding filled and hydro-locked the compartments and the leg started to die.
so they sliced me like a swollen sausage casing from ankle to knee on both sides. (at least 14 inches each… which make it funny to see the host site’s little four inch scar.) and put me in an external fixator for 2 months.
infusion therapy (port in your arm and antibiotic flush twice a week) followed in those two months because you’re alive with a massive opened wound going down to the muscles… which had to be kept wet and bandages changed twice a day. (every change was like tearing the skin off again and again)
anyway- fixator came off and open fasciotomies covered with skin grafts and casted.
got out of the cast and had to learn to walk again on a leg that withered to nothing.
now, i’ve always been a pretty intense athlete- (ranked nationally in the collegiate marathon, huge cyclist, raced all types of motorcycles for 20 years) and wasn’t content to walk with a limp the rest of my life.
so one day -about a year after the accident was out walking my dog and i tried it… i “ran” for ten steps. more “limped severely” for ten steps -but i did get both feet off the ground- so it was technically running.
next day, those 10 turned to 12… then 25… then 100… then 150…. 200…. 300… and last night, a little less than 3 yrs since the accident- i just ran 14 miles. (training for a 1/2 marathon race to mark my being officially “OVER” the accident.)
why am i posting my story? to let anyone that is going thru this know that you can get back into your life. there’s a lot of pain, effort and endurance ahead… but you can do it.
funny- the running made me “re-balance” and get my limpy leg working again. if i hadn’t, i’d have a chronic limp the rest of my life as my ankle was starting to point and my knee filled up with scar tissue. the body responds to BEING USED. if you don’t use it… shit locks up and starts to freeze.
anyway- just because you had a little operation for some discomfort or a massive injury that crippled you. don’t coddle yourself. work your body. for body is lazy. it only grows into what it needs to do. weight lifters only get the body to build more muscle by stressing their existing muscles to failure. bone only grows/gets stronger with vibration and impact. if you sit at a desk all day and walk with a cane… guess what? your body says “good enough” and stops.
just because you’re out of the hospital, doesn’t mean you’re finished. the accident took seconds. the surgeries took three months. the recovery took three years of CONSTANT EFFORT.
buckle up. put your whole effort in to it… its will be long hard road, but you can do it.
I had the surgery about 6 yrs ago and all i want to know is will ever be able to wear heels again
I like your comment!!!! Re training the body is a must!!!! I said I would train to do a triathlon after this CS… I recently had two 20cm long incisions down each side of my leg after a metal rod was inserted for a broken tibia,,,, I can’t walk on it… I’m tired and struggling, but I won’t give up!!!
Thank You! And good luck!
Thank you for sharing your story! It gives hope for me with my recovery. Here’s my story.
In October, A horse I was riding tripped and fell down on my right hip and thigh. After a few minutes laying there in intense pain, I was able to stand and walk. Got back on the horse with help and made our way back to the trailer. My leg was getting more and more painful as we went, and I finally decided to get off and try to walk the stiffness off. I got down and almost fell down, unable to put any weight on my right leg. Time to head to the hospital!
From the accident until I was seen in the ER was about 5 hours. Thankfully the Drs knew what they were doing and quickly ruled out any broken bones. Next was the pressure test in my thigh, which turned out to be 88, and I was fairly quickly whisked into surgery to open up my leg. I am now the proud owner of a 12 inch scar on my leg from knee to hip, 3 surgeries and 2 blood transfusions later. However, I feel lucky to have 2 mostly working legs. I spent a week in the hospital, 4 in the SICU. The Dr said the muscle was black when he first cut it open, but thankfully it started to pink back up once the fascia was cut. He flat out told me had I waited until the next day to come in and the outcome would have been entirely different.
I am slowly trying to jog again, through the pain in my knee. It took until now for the pain to subside enough to even consider jogging, but I am feeling encouraged reading your story, so thank you.
Life after compartment syndrome surgery…. March of 2016 will be 2 years since my injury, my leg was crushed in a car accident but no break. My left leg swelled to the size of a basketball before a surgeon was called in to perform the surgery. Very thankful that he was called because I might of lost my leg. With all that said I was wondering if anyone has had the same symptoms that I’m suffering for almost two years after surgery. And if anyone has found any relieve from these symptoms.
My Symptoms: leg swelling, ankle swelling, sever pain throught knee, leg foot and ankle… now I believe I’m suffering from flat foot with severe pain in the bottom of my foot.
I exercise and stretch both the ankle and calf. But nothing seems to work, typically after I’m done exercising and I have more pain and more swelling! Please if anyone knows anything that I can do to stop these symptoms I would greatly appreciate the info.
Hello Bill,
I seem to be encountering the same symptoms, although not as severe. My legs (I had surgery in both) are heavily scarred and have huge incisions. I have a fairly large edema. MRI and ultra-sound yield no alarms for concern.
It was recommended that I try a massage therapy with someone that specializes in “Structural Myofascial Therapy”. The goal is to release the scar tissue so the leg can properly heal and return to normal.
To date, I have tried 3 sessions and things seem to be improving slowly. Maybe this would be something that you can try.
In any case, please feel free to reach out to me at mark@budman.ca
Thanks,
Mark
I have pain in the bottom of the foot after the surgery. I had four incisions in my lower legs(shins) two years ago. Now I have pain in my foot. I do not have pain while playing, but after playing my feet feel numb. After a day of playing soccer, I start to have severe pain in my bottom of the feet. What should I do? I am using insert for my low arch, but I do not think it helps me that much. My feet was once swelled after playing but not often. My lower legs got better and do not get tight before the surgery, but I started to having pain in my feet. Please email me sungwoon916@gmail.com if you know anything that I can do to stop this symptoms. I would greatly appreciate the info..
Additional Info : I have been getting physical therapy on my shin about a month and getting massage on my feet but nothing help for my feet to get better. It is the most frustrating thing in my life. I really want to get back to playing soccer.
6 years I have been suffering with same pain’s no feeling in knee inner thigh bloody hurt like hell if catch it on something can not walk far as leg swells up and locks up lucky in a way could have lost leg cut upper leg with saw they had to open the lower leg to save it drive’s me mad hate walking with a stick and don’t wont to be in wheel chair hope yours gets better soon keep your leg up high when you can
Hi, I was diagnosed with compartment syndrome in 2002 when I was polevaulting on the university of Utah track team. My pressures ranged from 60-90 and I had a fasciotomy in two compartments and about 8 months after that had a fasciotomy in the other two compartments. So all 4 compartments are released but I find myself over 10 years later having that pain come back. I recovered well from surgery and didn’t really have any pain, had numbness but no pain for several years. Till about 2-3 years ago I started having the sharp pains again. My question is has anyone else who has had a fasciotomy started feeling pain again? And if so what has the doctors done? Do you have to get another fasciotomy, does the fascia regrow? I don’t really want to live my life in pain not being able to work out and taking medicine for the rest of my life. Any advice?
Yes. I have had the surgery and noticed great relief for a while. Now the pain has returned and I’m back too holding back tears during even the easiest of workouts.
I had a chronic compartment syndrome surgery in my both lower legs 2 years ago. After the surgery, my shins do not get tight like before the surgery. However, I started having pain in my both feet. After playing soccer or running, my feet really bother me like chronic compartment syndrome. I tried physical therapy, ice, hot, and stretches; none of them helped me. I really do not know how to explain the pain. It really hurts and bothers me that I do not want to walk. I went to see doctors and they had no idea what was wrong with my feet. I do not know if this is the side effect of the surgery. I really want to get back to playing soccer.
I did not have problems in my feet before. I started having this plain after running after 3 months of the surgery. When I massage or hot or ice my lower legs, my feet pain temporarily goes away and come back. Is it possible I have chronic compartment syndrome in my feet?
I just had a bilateral fasciotomy, after the pressure tests and before surgery I got this insane pain in my heels. The found I had clonus while doing the surgery in my calf. The dr did a gastrocnemius recession during surgery also. Haven’t had foot pain since!! Worth looking into. Hope that helps!!
Hi Sungwoon Choo…. Have you been tested for FPAES? (Functional Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome), which is a very rare entrapment syndrome often mimicking symptoms of CECS (Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome). In this condition, the popliteal artery (situated behind the knee) becomes compressed in one or several places, with the most common place being trapped by the medial head of the gastrocnemius (the calf muscle on the inside of the back of the knee).
In this condition, every time the calf/gastrocnemius muscle activates, it compresses the popliteal artery. The popliteal artery is the artery in which blood flows from the thigh/upper leg through to the lower leg. In other words, if something is compressing it blood will not flow properly to the feet. It ‘s a bit like drinking through a large straw and pressing it with your fingers whilst sucking through the straw. The artey will be compressed sporadically and not all blood gets to the feet, therefore not enough oxygen for the tissues. The calf muscles are used with each step you take.
One of the non-invasive tests used to determine any interference in blood supply like this is called an ABPI Test (Ankle Brachial Pressure Index Test). What this entails is checking the blood pressure in both arms (brachial) as well as checking the blood pressure in the feet, using a machine called a doppler. If a manual device is used, there is calculation used to work out the result and whether or not it is in the normal limits. Some larger clinic will have another type of machine to measure everything at the same time.
A reading is taken before you exercise, and then you woulld be asked to walk on a treadmill set at a slight incline, and walk for a period of time until the symptoms occur. Another reading is taken and then compared. If reading is between 0.5 to 0.8 vascular supply is compromised.
Pulses in the feet may be present/palpable before you start running, and may be absent after your run, which would also reveal some issues with circulation
Other tests can be undertaken in hospital, in order to test for any blockages.
SOME QUESTIONS:
You mentioned having surgery for CECS. How many compartments were released? Did you get any nerve damage afterwards? Any areas on your legs that are still numb? Where did surgeon make the incisions?
What age are you? not trying to be nosey, but various things may be age related as well.
Whereabouts in the world are you?
Are you able to describe the pain in your feet, as you just mentioned that it hurts and bothers you.
Perhaps you should also consider looking at / investigating other areas, that could cause discomfort. Wherever in tyhe world you may be, consider seeing:
1) A podiatrist in order to have your lower limb biomechanics checked out – if your feet are rolling inwards (pronating) it can cause some discomfort in feet (arches/heel) on top of feet, ankle area, lower legs and knees
having tight muscles under the arch of the foot can also be uncomfortable.
CECS can also happen in the feet, but is extremely rare
2) Physiotherapist – have hips and lower back checked out, for any possible tightness of muscles; They would be able to put you on a stretching program if required
3) Perhaps an MRI of lower back may be of benefitto ensure no bulging/protruding discs in lower back,
4) A good sports physician.
(You may find all of these health professionals at a Sports Medicine Centre).
5) Myotherapy or sports massage
You need to remember that when you underwent a release of the fascia, there would be considerable scarring Not only the scar that is visible on your leg/s, but also underneath the skin, where the fascia were released.
I am also a keen soccer player, having played 6x weekly for many years, as well as for the Defence Force , and understand your frustrations.
I, like yourself, have undergone release of all 4 compartments for CECS just over 2 years ago. In addition, I have FPAES as well as another entrapment syndrome in the arms, called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome TOS). I must be really special. I have not yet resolved the PAES as I wanted to work out which symptoms remained after my CECS surgery. I have recently stopped playing soccer after a ligament and cartilage tear. now recovering before I contemplate my next sport
I hope some of this helps
Regards
Andrew Jardine
Hi there I am wondering if anybody has had same symptoms I had a crush injury working in the mines in March 2104 , resulting in a broken tibia and fibula than compartment syndrome my fasciotomy was delayed for almost 24 hours as the hospital where I was working had to wait for orthopaedic surgeon to fly from Perth , now almost two years later I am suffering from chronic pain , swelling of the leg if I am up on it for to long through out the day ???? Has anyone had similar symptoms this long after surgery ?? Any help much appreciated as I am getting no answers. From and doctor or surgeon other than them saying its nerve pain , all the nerve pain killers I am given eg lyrics and endep do not stop this pain , my fibula still has a fracture at head of fibula which remains u United I am told by more than 5 surgeons no one will operate due to risk of further nerve damage
6 years on mate and its got worse leg swells loads pain in leg and foot .Leg
jumps a lot in sleep lots nerves damage told me get worse as I get older
Hey,
I’m a 16 year old boy who recently had the Facsiotomy surgery on all four compartments in both of my legs just over a week ago, I am normally very active and play above my age level in Aussie Rules. I have read all over sites that normally after a week people are fully mobile and able to return to work… That’s not my case, the first two days post operation I thought all was well. I was able to move around on crutches if need but but since the third day I have been stuck to my bed, on that third day I experience excruciating pain, I couldn’t move at all, I had to be taken back to hospital but they told me it was normal…
I am unable to fully stretch my leg flat or pull my toes back towards my head and can not apply any weight through my legs, I have had pressure stockings on my feet to reduce swelling since to surgery and I was wondering if anyone knows what is wrong (if anything is wrong)
Thank you,
Kyren Gavin
Anyone who is recovering from the surgery, there’s LOTS of swelling! The inflammation process will last for 6 to 8 weeks on average. Even when you’re able to walk more, u will still have to elevate often.
I am 5 days out of surgery. Pain increased and swelling, bruises and movement issues are making things challenging. This is my second time having both legs done. I’m healing quicker and walking better. But I was kept in hospital last time and monitored. This time I can’t be sure what is normal and ok and what I should worry about. I was told not to remove covers so I don’t know how many stitches or how big the cuts- I suspect two small ones one outside and long one like last time on inside. I can feel everything inside my legs and just wish I could have some pain free comfortable sleep. Keeping legs up helps reduce swelling but is impractical. Down time makes them puff and bruise. I’m worried about that.
Hi guys,
My story is different & I feel bad about asking you guys, since my problem seems minor after reading about the true compartment syndromes. But if someone can help or encourage, I would appreciate it- this is important for me. 🙂
I had an ACL and MCL reconstruction 4 months ago due to a volleyball injury. Knee is recovering great, but after surgery due to a super tight bandaging (I tolerated it only for 40hrs) I ended up with ‘mini-compartment syndrome’ (ortho doc’s words). My whole shin and ankle are numb and I can’t flex my big toe. I keep jamming the toe on the floor, if I try to walk fast or normal. 🙁 I am a personal trainer & on my feet a lot – really would like to have a normal gait and get back to sports. Doctor recommends a tendon graft after another 6 months, if there is no progress.
My question for you is:
1. Does anyone have success with recovering from similar condition? Can the nerves really regenerate?
2. Currently rehabbing a lot for the knee – not too much information for nerve ‘rehab’. Massaging and nerve stimulation therapy at pt. Anything else I could do?
Thank you so much, good luck to everyone.
Susanna
Massage and nerve stimulation therapy along with physical therapy is a great combination. TENS unit (some physical therapists use it, and you could buy a portable for like $20 online) will help. Also tapping around your knee and lower leg. Massage should be mix of scar tissue breakdown for knee and basic lengthening of tissues to bring blood flow and relax tissue (scar, fascia, etc) to promote room for nerve regrowth, and nerve stimulation techniques.
I had ok results after first one. Not running but reduced pain and my life mostly back for about twenty years. Just had it redone as pain increased and mobility challenged for last six months. Hopeful that it will help again to some degree.
I had the same surgery and problem, unfornately it took about 2-3 year before I stop having the tingling sensation.. I still have numbness where my scars are.. But I don’t have full extenstention in that knee.. It’s been almost 10 years and unfornately I still have problems.. (Arthritis) and popping.. Would love to know if you’re healing well..
Hi everyone!
I am a 21 year old college student who has been active all of my life. I had always thought I had shin splints during high school sports and minor legs issues but they never were too much of a problem. During my 3rd year of college, February 2015, I was training for a half marathon and one day I went to run and was unable to really move. My calves felt like they locked up and from that point on I had a really hard time doing anything active without my legs getting really tight and my feet going numb.
I went to the doctor and he mentioned that it may be compartment syndrome but he had me take two months off of physical activity to see if that helped at all. Along with this he took X-Rays to make sure I didn’t have a fracture. April 2015 nothing had gotten better so we decided to proceed with the pressure test. My pressures prior to exercise were in the 30s and once I exercised they went up into the 60s and 70s. Although this was extremely high we still decided to take more time to try physical therapy. I did physical therapy for 3 months to try to break down the tissues in my legs.
Nothing seemed to help so on August 19th 2015 I had the surgery. All four of my compartments were released. The doctor had me in a wheelchair for two weeks and I am now on crutches for two more weeks. I am able to take off my boots when I am at my house, although I was allowed to the first two weeks. My incisions are about 2 and a half to three inches, two incisions on each leg. Very similar to the ones in the original post. I am healing great so far, everything looks good.
I am having a lot of swelling in my feets and three of my toes on my left foot are constantly numb. I am hoping this will go away when the swelling starts to go down. My legs have a lot of bruising but the doctors said that all of it is normal.
One thing I would caution for those who haven’t had the surgery, a lot of surgeons now do a smaller incision. Mine did not, which ended up saving me. The nerve in my right left was much different than my left which is uncommon. If my surgeon had made a smaller incision he would have cut my nerve in half leaving my whole right foot without feeling. Be careful and choose your surgeon wisely.
I am currently doing PT on my ankle and in two weeks will begin biking and working on balancing. Good luck everyone.
I am lost and looking answers at this point. I had bilateral fascitomies on both legs in 2001 after battling with shat I thought was shin splints for 7 months; i was to the point where I wasnt able to walk. I was lucky that a Ensign general doctor caught it because his roommate had the same problems while at the Naval Academy. I was serving in the Marine Corps at the time on special duty. I had the procedure and basically had 60 days to recover because they had to go back in my laft leg a debris it due to a stitch breaking open. The military sent me back to full duty after 60 days without any physical therapy. Make a long story short I could not function to Marine Corps standards as a Staff NCO. They medically processed me out in May of 2002. Since that time I have battled with the VA over my legs. They keep telling me I have tendonitis and or shin splints while prescribing medication after medication and no physical therapy. Finally, two years ago I sought a second opinion from the local Grave Gilbert Orthopedic Clininc and they perofrmed an array of test and concluded that I more than likely have chronic excertional compartment syndrome. Loaded with new information, I went back to the VA to ask for help. Here it is two years later and nothing. Since that time I have developed a set of other problems from my legs killing me everyday. I have began to under pronate and walk on the outside of me feet; supination. THis in turn has put pressure on my achilles tendon and I now have sever achilles tendonitis on both legs. The VA keeps trying to tell me that the achilles tendonitis is the problem but my left leg (anterior compartment) absolutley kills me at times and makes sleeping unbearable. My ability to walk has drastically deminished and Im seeking answers. This is sad but there are times when I wish that they would just amputate my left leg. SOMEONE PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH SOME ANSWERS OR HELP!
I am in the same boat as you. I am about to ETS from the guard. When I was in training 5+ years ago I had constant “shin splints”. Walking was so painful I was restricted to 1/4 mile. Doctor after doctor didn’t take my concerns seriously. I said my legs felt tight ALL the time. What do you mean by tight? He would ask. I was so frustrated I gave up. I just thought I would have to deal with the pain and manage it as best as I could. The Air Force closed my line of duty, so now they won’t cover anything related to my legs when I know I was misdiagnosed. The pain is so bad now that it keeps me up at night. It feels like my muscles are made of rocks!
I’m going to file for disability as soon as I get out. I went to a doctor and had them confirm compartment syndrome a few months ago. I’m hoping this helps my case. Get the pressure testing done, even if you have to pay for it yourself. They won’t be able to deny your claim then. Also do you have anyone representing you? Get the DAV or another veteran org to represent your interests at the hearings.
It took me years to be diagnosed. It’s rediculous. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I’m currently recovering from my bilateral 4 compartment fasciotomy. Keep persisting, ask for pressure testing from orthopedics. Also discuss about “functional popliteal artery entrapment which can mimic chronic exertions compartment syndrome almost exactly. Turns out I had both. Some tests will be negative like an mri might not show anything but the pressure test for compartment syndrome is the top. Ultrasound is done first for artery entrapment but mine didn’t show positive until I got a CT angiogram. Don’t stop persisting, someone will eventually test you through.
I had a similar story and I have had bilateral compartment syndrome surgery but I still have alot of long term pain. I would just keep talking to you pic provider and place a claim with comp and pen at the VA.
Thank You all for so much information. My story is a little different to most. As a result of an accident, I stepped backwards off the bottom step of a ladder. The ladder reached the point of overbalance and I was falling, so I put My foot down on a step that wasn’t there !! My foot hit the ground about 20cm below, that impact with full body weight fractured both My fibula and tibia. On the X-Rays You can see where the impact meshed both into the knee. The result a massive amount of pain and a crippling of My left leg. On arrival of the ambulance, they knew straight away it was a case of a Compartment Syndrome and commenced treatment. With a crowded Accident & Emergency Dept; I waited 12 hours for the Orthopedic Surgeons consult. This delay worsened My problem and put My lower leg in danger of amputation (My Wife and I never having heard of CS were shocked to say the least). We were told surgery would follow to relieve the pressure, debridement of tissue, removal of dead muscle and nerves. irrigation drains were inserted and continually flushed out. Dressings were changed every three days. A further 2 ops were carried out, both times to clean and flush out the wounds, the use of a cryovac like procedure was used to pull the site together. (Yep a CRYOVAC. Pumps out air until closed). Pain. Prior to surgery pain was terrible, following surgery it has never stopped. Pain relief. I am on 2 types of Morphine painkillers. Oxycontin, slow & sustained, with Endone Faster acting over 3-4 hours. PRN. (As needed). Its now 6 weeks, A Fracture Clinic Consult with new X-Rays tomorrow will tell a big story. I have getting around on crutches and on wheel-chair. END Part One. I wish All a speedy recovery and a great outcome. Gregg & Elaine.
Hi Gregg I have had the Same as you broken fibula and tibia, I’ve still got the external frame on my leg, I’m eight weeks in and feel like there is no light at the end off the tunnel, because I had severe compartment syndrome to I’ve been left with scaring as long as my leg, I’m trying not to let it get to me but the swelling in my leg is still pretty bad, I’ve asked the doctors and they say it will go but it’s not, starting to feel really depressed need help on this
I realize this older post, so I hope you may still be checking in. I’m very sorry about your injury, and hope you’re feeling better….. the depression aspect is what kicked my ass, pain was and still is horrid from my fascitomy in my right thigh. I’ve been able to find what works for me to mange. But crippling depression wrecked me to my core, folks don’t tend to believe you. But I’m right there, feel free to email me back I can offer what helped me.
Hey I have compartment syndrome in 2 out of the 4 comparments in my calvs. Id say I got my at the age of 16 or 17. I refuse to get the surgery because my reading were only in the 50s. I stretch my calves and Hercules tendon twice a day 3 times hold each for 30 seconds and it helps a lot believe it or not. Now running it helps somewhat but I’m a swimmer and it doesn’t bother me at all when I swim. Jumping can get to me sometimes but mostly it’s the running.
So glad I’ve found this feed from all of you and the reading about all of your different experiences.
So on that note, I was curious has anyone actually come out of the surgery and not had any sort of success at all with the procedure ?
I personally was diagnosed when I was 12 years old, nearly 13, in 2007, and it was due to excessive excersise and became acute in not just one but BOTH of my feet in the main muscle in the arch, Resulting in surgery on both of my feet at the same time as soon as possible in 2007 and was unfortunetly completely unsuccessful 🙁 which now I have 6-7 inch scars on both feet (keloid scars too unfortunately, which only in the last two years have actually subsided in thickness and purpley colour) I now only have around 1/3 of feeling etc in both feet and can be really hard to guide myself let alone walk straight without flopping my feet and nearly tripping over most times.
Since being diagnosed 8 years ago and having surgery very shortly after, which as I said earlier was unsuccessful, I cannot physically run more than 30 seconds anymore due to my acute compartment syndrome and I now after all these years I have started suffering further up my legs including my calves, knees, thighs, hips and groin, which is slowly continuing further up again on my body.
Only two weeks ago I had my 21st birthday and I was hoping someone on here or someone out there has some information about any further procedures I could try because I’m struggling with movement and I can’t let it continue taking toll on more and more areas of my body especially at 21, I want to be able to walk around with my future kids and family etc, so please if anyone has any information that would be beneficial or just worth looking into then please comment back of you can ! Thank you everyone and you are all inspiration for me getting through all of the horrible things that come with this stupid condition!
Kind regards
Darcie
Hi fellow CS pals,
I am recovering from my third Fasciotomy on my lower legs over a span of four years. I had my first two surgeries at Johns Hopkins – the doctor was incredible. But, what I have learned from this last surgery (and after speaking to several surgeons) is that it is important to have a creative surgeon who has performed numerous chronic excertion CS fasciotomys rather than only surgery on acute CS patients. The way an emergency trauma doc would release is very different than the way another doc might release. Trauma doctors typically approach a lower leg release from the exterior of your leg. And apparently, they really cannot properly reach all compartments that way.
So, it is imperative to work from two incisions – one on the outside and one on the inside of the leg. I am three days post-op and feel better already. Of course I’m bedridden so it is impossible to tell what the results will be! But,
I am hopeful that the third time is the charm! Best of luck to everyone else!
Good Afternoon Darcie,
Have you tried Dry Needling? I just had my first procedure done today. After icing my leg I could finally stand on my leg. After a couple of hours and a second icing I my leg doesn’t hurt…. That is a first for me, I have had compartment syndrome for over 6 months now. My doctors want to try every other option before surgery. My doctor has said next week when I go in we will add electric shocks to it and hpefully this helps. Hopefully I do not have to have surgery. Praying for you and hope things look get and look better for you in the near and far future.
V/R
DeAnna
I don’t have compartment syndrome, but I was misdiagnosed with it for a short period. What I did end up having was Popliteal Artery Entrapment syndrome. The symptoms can often present the same. PAES is an extremely rare condition, so there are not many sites to talk to other people about it. I hope that maybe someone will read this who also has PAES and wants to talk/share.
I had my first set of surgeries in October 2013. My PAES was so progressed by this point that just releasing the muscle/fascia wasn’t going to work. I had to have a complete bypass on both of my legs. They took part of my saphenous vein and replaced a 5 cm portion of my popliteal artery. Things were going great until about 2 months ago when the pain started again, and it got bad really fast. I had an acute DVT (blot clot) and had to go to the ER. I was in hospital for 5 days on blood thinners and monitoring. I’ve just heard from my specialist that my CT from the hospital shows that both of my graft sites have failed and will clot again and again unless I am on blood thinners. So I have to have BOTH of my legs redone. The worst part is that he doesn’t know why this happened. I work at a medical clinic with some of the top radiologists in Canada and even they said that my case is extremely rare, and that my case has been discussed at the teaching hospital and will likely be in medical journals.
All that still doesn’t give me any answers! Where it stands now is to have another CT to figure out WHY they failed and get the surgeries redone and just hope they work this time. Recovery from these surgeries is a solid 2 months of very limited activity and no work. If anyone else here has had experience with PAES please let me know! I am trying to blog about my experience in hopes of helping others with this.
Please blog your experience! I’m thinking of doing so as well. I was diagnosed with popliteal artery entrapment and chronic exertional compartment syndrome. I had popliteal release 2 years ago and right now recovering from fasciotomy.
hi there! I did start blogging if you want to take a look at it. A lot has happened since this summer!
http://popliteal-artery-entrapment.blogspot.com
Hey guys!
This is the first blog that I’ve ever seen on compartment syndrome which is absolutely fascinating to me because this whole time I’ve been researching on weird symptoms or what not and “webmd” can’t give you all of those types of answers. So I’ll tell you my story and if this helps anyone I really hope it does!
Im currently 19 years old and play Division 1 soccer. I’ve had the anterior surgery April of 2014, and this past year, July 2, i had the bilateral fasciatomy on all compartments on both legs. Ive been dealing with compartment syndrome since my sophomore year of high school. So about 2011-2012. I first just started to run around the track and realized i couldn’t run more than a couple laps without having this severe pain. I thought it was shin splits but I just felt like it was way too painful for such. Burning in the front of my legs, and little bumps would be all up my shins. I didn’t want to get surgery so i went to a specialist in Ft. Meade that said she could fix me without surgery saying if i fixed the way i ran i wouldn’t have the problem. Here’s the thing, you don’t pay attention to your foot mechanics when you’re playing soccer. So for me to play a competitive sport and keep track of running on my toes the whole game, wouldn’t work. Plan B: Get the testing done. Let me say, that testing is a very very painful experience. And also, the testing just isn’t ethical. You run on a treadmill for how long, then jog back to a table to get pricked by a big needle. I believed the measures, i just didn’t believe that the way to test them through the treadmill was the most effective way. The first time i had the testing done, it showed pressures such as 46. One in my front compartment and one in my back. I researched my surgery options and decided that I would pick a doctor in my area that did these surgeries a lot. He recommended at the time i only get surgery on the front two compartments. I got the surgery done and it went well. The one thing i recommend is that you DONT BABY IT.
So i had sever bruising but no infections, physical therapy right away, it helped. I was back to running and i could run 2 miles every other day on the track without pain. However, as soon as i got to college for preseason, my trainer told me she wanted me to stop running completely. Little did i know that, that could’ve and did halt me form progressing. So my recovery was 2 months halted. It took forever for me to get fit.
I started to get really bad pain during November of 2014. ( same year as my first sugary). I would have practice on Tuesday Wednesday Thursday, Game on friday. Let me tell you, by Friday i could barely walk. I had no idea why i was in so much pain. Just walking i could feel my calves SO tight. Every day before practice i would heat, roll, stretch. After practice i would ice. I would get massages, nothing helped. I called my doctor and saw him and he said that he doesnt believe that it is compartment syndrome.
So in december, I went home and did all types of therapy. Massges, laser, and needle therapy twice a week for the whole month, Why isn’t this working!!!! It didn’t help at all.
I suffered the whole rest of the year in pain, until i was able to go get the testing done again. The results were positive in my posterior compartments, great!!! I come back home from the summer and was able to talk to a new doctor. He was very surprised that i didn’t get all 4 compartments done the first time. He also said that testing doesnt get done now a days, so don’t bother doing it. ( For anyone who doesnt want to pass out! ) And that if you’re going to get the surgery, just release all 4.
So instead of running I’ve been doing the elliptical bike and constrainer at the gym which is still a great source of exercise but I am on scholarship for soccer, and my coach won’t keep me on the team if I’m injured all 4 years- Division 1 is cut throat.
I got the surgery on July 2, 2015. Its now July 7. The first day, obviously was on lots of drugs/pain killers so i could walk a little- by walk i mean stick my legs out far in front of me and take baby steps. I was told not to baby it. The second Day i progressed a bit by now being able to bed my ankles up and down and just continue to walk around the house. Third day I could take my ace bandages off- and I was walking pretty fine now, barely any pain. Fourth day was my post op He said i looked great. Put new ace wraps on me. I was developing one random blister that’s near one of my incisions. He said he didn’t know why because if it was me being allergic to the tape there would be more blisters.
Tuesday I started to get pain in my left leg. Wednesday it got 10x worse. Thursday was miserable. Im now laying in bed 12am on a friday debating why Im in so much pain. I called my doctor on wednesday to tell him how much pain i was in on my left leg. i now can’t straighten it, i can’t put pressure on it. How could i be walking up the stairs two days ago but now be bed rest? I can barely walk- and I somehow am starting to develop a reddish spot that hurts to the touch near the inside of my calf. I wonder if this is normal, i Know this could be an infection but we are waiting to see if it gets bigger, i don’t have a fever. Im too young to deal with granny legs!!!
If i can help anyone from this, please let me know and I would love to keep in contact with all of my fellow CS buddies 🙂 I also know that this was half in detail half in not, if anyone would like to know more details about the testing, pre op, or post op recovery, I’ve been through it twice now. And have had weird symptoms both times.
Kat
Hi Katherine! I feel like we have very similar stories and experiences!
My name is Zeynep, and I’m 18 years old! I had a bilateral fasciotomy performed on Thursday July 16th, releasing all four compartments in both legs. So this is my story…
I absolutely love to run, I like exercising in general but running has always been ‘my thing.’ I am not very athletic which is why I always went to the gym, did hot power yoga, and ran instead, but I just always liked the idea of being fit. I began running in eight grade, to the point where I would sometimes go on 5 miles runs before school started, just for fun! I started out doing all three seasons of track in high school, XC, winter and spring. But starting way back in preseason of freshman year XC I started to get injured. I got injured during every season of track in high school, and it was a miserable experience. I never was able to improve, in fact I only got slower. And to make matters worse, I was gaining so much weight because every time I got injured I would go into a mini depression, which was accompanied by a lot of food and just not moving around. After a season would start I would run for about 5-6 weeks, improve, and then get injured. Freshman year I am almost positive it was just shin splints, and that’s what they told me anyway. But as the seasons and years went by, the injuries only got worse and progressed, and lasted longer. By the time I got to my junior year of high school, I quit track in the beginning of winter season, I just couldn’t handle it any longer. It was one of the hardest things to do, but I just could not run! I felt like I had tried everything. I had gotten orthopedic soles for my shoes, I had gone to my same sports doctor over and over again (whom I trusted because he is the doctor of the Giants team), I constantly bought new sneakers, I tried different running strategies, but I was so hopeless! Every time I ran I was in searing pain. It was also heart breaking for me because the track team at my school has one of the strongest bonds of all the sports teams, and we were a family that I had been with for already 7 seasons. So after that I started managing instead, but only for Spring Track. I busied myself with other stuff, like the gym and yoga where I would only sometimes get pain. In yoga however there were certain poses that would put a lot of strain on my legs and I would always have to come down into child’s pose because i just couldn’t handle it.
Anyway, comes senior year where probably in around February I attempted to go on a run again, for the first time in a while. I had been going to physical therapy for about 5-6 weeks, so I assumed I would be fine. I got up to less than a mile where I had to stop and I started crying because my legs were so, so, so tight. Remind you that my sports doctor over and over again told me that what I had were shin splints. I really thought I would never be able to run ever again because I knew something was wrong with my legs. I knew there was no way it was just shin splints. People don’t have shin splints there entire life, it’s typically an injury that comes and goes. So I went home and sobbed for a while which wasn’t abnormal after a run for me, it had become the norm since my legs would get so tight. I researched everything on google and looked at symptoms of shin splints and reasons to getting them, one being bad biomechanics (which I have/ I have high arches apparently and over pronate insanely, and some say I run like a horse). So I was basically like, well I’m screwed, there goes the one thing I am really compassionate about. I was at the point where I had tried to convince my mom to bring me to an acupunturist! My mom though persuaded me to see another doctor first. An incredible orthopedic surgeon in town who had helped my mother with her herniated disc. I went to him, and he brought up “Exercise induced compartmental syndrome” or “exertional compartmental syndrome”. I cried when he brought up the possibility. To have an actual answer, with a solution, I was SO HAPPY. He sent me to another doctor for a second opinion, and then that doctor who had the same theory, sent me to another doctor who performed the test. All my pressure test results pointed to me having the condition since everything was above 30mmHg (or whatever the unit is lol). This was all in March. I wanted the surgery right away, but my parents wanted me to wait until the summer, which now I am grateful for.
So like I said in the beginning, I got the surgery on Thursday, July 16th. It has been 10 days so far, and currently I am typing this all up from the yoga studio I work at!!! The first few days after the surgery were awful. Like you, they gave me pain killers (Vicodin to be exact) and I took them for a few days, and then on Friday night I took off the ace bandages. Sunday night I took off the gauze pad and clear sticky thing over it off, which left my stitches with the three tape things over each one which are still on. After three or four days I was able to sleep more comfortably. Before I was sleeping supine, on my back facing the ceiling with my legs on two pills. On the 6th day I was able to take a shower standing up all by myself which was probably my proudest moment because my older sister was bathing me every other day lol. It was kinda sad. By that day anyway I was able to shuffle around my house. I can’t take real walking steps, but I sort of drag my feet, and socks help! I had post op on Thursday, and my doctor said I looked really good. I walk around on crutches which help a lot, pressure wise. My right leg to be honest could be almost back to normal. When I hobble and shuffle at home I walk with my right leg and drag my left behind me. My left leg is all bruised up, and swollen, it the stitches on my left leg hurt a lot for some reason, but my doctor said it was just because different body parts react differently for some reason, and it was perfectly normal. I also have slight numbness under the stitch on the inside of my left leg down to my ankle, but he also assured me that it was just a post-op symptom which was also completely normal. I was terrified until I went into the appointment, after walking out I was very rest assured. He told me to keep the ace bandages on to alleviate the pressure, so now I wrap my legs every day, and I don’t know I’ve been much better! I still can’t walk normally, I have to use crutches if I’m actually trying to get somewhere, or when I wake up (it usually hurts most the in the morning after sleeping with them elevated all night). But yesterday I actually left the house for the first time and it felt really good to just get out. If I keep my legs down for too long I will definitely feel it, and I try to keep them elevated, but it’s still not as bad as it used to be. I’m just waiting for my left leg to get better because the bruising is definitely not getting better. It actually looks like it’s gotten worse from probably traveling down my leg, so now it’s every where on my leg rather than in a couple of spots. I haven’t been in PT, or prescribed it because my doctor said I don’t really need it, but if I feel that I do I could ask him and he’ll write me up for it but he said it’s really not necessary since I’m a young healthy girl and walking basically will do the same thing as PT anyway, and just some simple stretches, etc. He told me that by 3 months/12 weeks, I should be able to start running again and that’s currently the hope, but after reading so many of these posts I’m terrified that won’t be the case! I am more than grateful I found this blog though because like many others, I really thought I was the only person with this and that of course I would have it out of anybody. So it’s nice to know that there are others! I wish there were just some more positive outcomes. I hope this has helped somebody!!! I will definitely post updates, and read others new posts. Good luck to everybody who is recovering and going through this! It’s definitely not easy!!!
Zeynep
You’re in lots more pain because you didn’t baby it enough. Naturally you will feel the full effect of the inflammation by day like 3. I’m a month in recovery. Even when you’re at the point later where your muscles can handle walking, the inflammation will pool up even if you sit too long without elevating. It’s disheartening when you feel like you can do more. But please, you need to ice and elevate more. You were on your legs doing too much way way too soon. The inflammation process lasts 6 to 8 weeks. It blew my mind when I was elevating almost all day and at the point where my legs didn’t look swollen at all (3 weeks in) walked on it a BIT and had them down like sitting for several hours. Bam, CALVES AND ANKLES SWOLLEN AS LARGE AS THE FIRST FEW DAYS AFTER SURGERY. LYMPH FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF AN INCISION. PAIN PAIN PAIN. Got to be more careful.
Hi Katherine,
How is your post surgery experience? Like you, I had the first surgery, but it did not work well. I am thinking to get a surgery for second time if nothing helps. Are you able to get back to running after second time surgery? Please share your experience. Email me @ sungwoon916@gmail.com
Thank you so much.
Never would i have thought someone else would have gone through the same as i have. I bursted into tears reading this. I’d love to share my story. But i wouldn’t know where to begin ?
So glad that there are people blogging and responding about this. It’s a rare syndrome that on average takes years to diagnose. I’m so glad to know I’m not alone on this pain and frustration. Years of it.
If anyone is looking for an alternate to surgery..Dr. Joseph McGinley is a doctor in Casper, Wyoming. He has developed a treatment using botox and has seen a lot of success with the procedure. I went to see him and he is the real deal. Very intelligent, innovative, and kind. I wouldn’t be surprised if his treatment becomes the standard in the future. He had an understanding of the condition that every other doctor I saw did not. Check him out!
http://www.mcginleyinnovations.com/index.php?/dev/services/category/compartment-syndrome
Hi Kyle Im very interested to hear more about your experiences on behalf of my 17 year old so. I recently had a phone discussion with a doctor from Wyoming medical centre and we are minded to go there for treatment
Hi there Guy, I’m sorry I never got back to you. I just happened to revisit this blog and saw your comment! I’m not sure what steps you took for your son since July, but I’d love to fill you in more on my experiences. You can shoot me an email at kyleschwag@gmail.com if you’d like! Best of luck.
This wouldnt help me if I were already herniating quite badly (5-10 per leg). Or would it? My surgery is scheduled in 2 months by a surgeon whose only done it once before. Im a homesteader so my legs are valued.
Hi,
I developed CS after having brain surgery in Sept 2011 (my body was in the wrong position for 9 hours). I had 3 operations following diagnosis, I developed several problems and the hospital left my stitches in for 6 weeks, so they are still internally in my leg and I have been left with a 25 inch scar down my leg and my lower part of my leg does not feel like it belongs to the rest of my leg.
To cut a very long story short, my muscle is now in the wrong position and I am in constant pain, and I mean 24/7. I walk with a stick and have tried most things to reduce the pain including a procedure to kill the damaged nerves in my leg, this unfortunately made the pain worse instead of better.
I am now all out of options for pain reduction, nothing at all has worked. I don’t sleep well because of it, I can’t exercise properly, my life has been turned inside out and upside down because of this.
I now I will have long term problems forever and have even asked the doctors to amputate my lower leg, but they have said not yet. I know that may seem extreme, but if it gets rid of the pain I would have it done.
If anyone has had something done that has helped with the pain, please could they let me know.
I really do hope that if anyone is suffering they get the help they need and I hope anyone who has had recent surgery is on the mend.
Sarah x
6 YEARS ON STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PAIN AND WALKING LEG JUST CANT TAKE BEING ON IT FOR LONG ENDS UP LIKE STIFF LUMP OF LARD HOPE THINGS GET BETTER FOR YOU I AM 56 YEARS OLD NOW AND THING DONT LOOK GOOD FOR MINE LOOKING FOR IDEA’S LIKE THE REST
Sarah, I’m w/ you, everyone I know thought I was being dramatic when I kept saying I’d rather have my leg cut off… if you want to e-mail me I can offer what I’ve done to manage pain
Great to read all of your experiences. I’m 4 months post-op, two compartments each leg plus had to go back in to remove a massive hematoma in one leg, so my recovery was slowed significantly. Just got back out this morning for my first run – felt great, but my legs are swollen to twice their normal size. Swelling has been significant all along! Just wondering how long this has lasted for others. I have no pain at all and full function, but frequently swells up so badly that I can barely bend my legs. Any thoughts? Doc said he’s not concerned just yet, but swelling doesn’t seem to be letting up even after 4+ months.
So glad I found this thread! Had the surgery on my right leg 6 days ago, can’t walk without crutches yet — it hurts too much. I also have some numbness on the top of my foot which is worrisome. Going to the doctor this week for my first post-op appointment.
I had numbness for a while, don’t worry too much yet:)
Hello Lauren, I just had my surgery on Friday, September 4th, 2015. I go back to Dr. Remaly in USF Morsani, Tampa, Fl on September 16th. I also have numbness, burning and sensitivity to touch on my foot and lower leg and wondered how long you had it… Do it go away.
Thanks for any info you can pass along.
That tingling and burning is a good sign, the burning is the last stage of nerve regeneration, unfortunately, numbness and the burning stage can last for months, some people years. Nerve stimulation therapy will help you the most. Tens unit, tapping on leg with fingers, massage.
I am still getting swelling and pain. My ankle and the bottom of my leg, is swollen , and the top of my foot is like someone has prompted up. I am due to have some physio, I am waiting on appointments for it . I went to a review on Wednesday, and they said it was okay, and would be swollen as the Haematoma was removed, but there would be some residue, and due to gravity it will move to the same place as the previous one . They told me to give it till Friday (today,) and if I still had pain and swelling, I was to go to A&E ( The emergency room )
I had a bilateral fasciotomy in December 2011 for compartment syndrome, and was pain free for about a year and a half. When the pain started coming back I was really worried. I had the pressure test done again a few days ago, and the test confirmed that the syndrome was indeed back.
Just curious as to if anyone has had the surgery for a second time and how it went for them? I only had to compartments released last time, and the doctor said this time they would do all four if surgery was to be done.
Would love some advice, had this for waaaay too many years (since mid-2008)
Thanks
Hey Aimee,
I’m actually keen to hear about how you get on. I think I’ve got it back in my right leg but not at a point where I want to do anything about it just yet. Please report back if you do have the surgery a second time – I’d love to know if the outcome is better (and more permanent?) the second time around.
All the best,
Erana
My son is in his sophomore year of college and had one compartment each leg released in March 2014 & is now having pain again, did you have more surgery??
I’m on my firm prescription of painkillers, The wound where they did the evacuation of the haematoma blood clot, hasn’t healed, despite then putting two stitches in it.
I have an appointment to see my consultant on Wednesday coming, so need to make him aware that it isn’t healing, so they may have to put some more stitches in.
My leg also still go solid when I set up properly, they told me to keep it elevated as much as possible, but that’s quite difficult
Hi hope your leg is healing! doesn’t sound too good! Can you move your ankle round and back and forward? Im surprised that you aren’t getting physio as that’s what got me right, as I thought I was getting a blood clot! Its now 6 weeks since my op. I a walking without crutches and without a limp, I still have to be careful not to over doing it as my ankles swell up. my left leg calf still swollen but so much better. go back and see my surgeon next week I hope he gives me the all clear to drive. All the best Matt
Matt, I had a similar experience with a hematoma – sad to say it slowed my recovery down a lot. I too still had the same symptoms even after the hematoma was removed, swelling, pain, pressure, hardening for at least a week but it finally subsided.
4 months later, I still have a lot of swelling, but am very glad I had the surgery, eventhough I questioned it and regretted it at first. Your recovery sounds a lot like mine, so hopefully you will see some good results soon. Be patient, it took me MUCH longer than the 3 weeks my doctor originally told me, but getting there!
hi its June here again Im in week 5 now, and im walking without the crutches still having phyiso twice a week. My left leg swelling coming down, just get a little sore if doing too much during the day, and tend still. other wise feeling great.
I am still suffering with swelling of the calf and it going hard.
I have been told to elivate it as much as I can.
It’s starting to get to me now and I wish I had never had the surgery.
Hi everyone
Just reading some of the posts, if compartment syndrome is chronic you really should get active as soon as you can after surgery, I started walking a couple of days after etc. This is because they create a new compartment and if you do not get back active the compartment will close up and you will have the same problems as before. Sometimes the muscle does of course then out grow the new compartment (like mine did) and the surgery has to be repeated.
The pain is worth it I promise!
I had my op two weeks ago.
I’m suffering bad with pain in my lower leg and swelling behind my knee and lots of bruising.
How long does the pain last for?
I can’t put my leg properly, when I stand up using my crutches my left leg on which I had the operation I cannot put alongside my right leg so that I am standing up straight.
When sitting down in the chair I am on able to put my left leg back as I can with my right.
How long does all this last for?
Hi Matt,
Unfortunately (but fortunately for me!) I didn’t have any of the side effects you mentioned. Since it’s been two weeks, I’d definitely check with your doctor.
Maybe some of the other readers can give some advice…
All the best,
Erana
Hi Matt I had just had my op on both legs on the 5th of March and when I got home I was in a little pain and could get around on crutches. Then on the 7th day OMG the pain was out of this world and I couldn’t weigh bear mainly with my left leg! I also on the day had lots of bruising! I rang my surgeon and he said if it got worse come straight to A&E and to bed rest, as I was seeing him in 2 days. Went for visit and he was very worried that I couldn’t move my ankle and push forward with my knee on my left side, so I was sent to have urgent physo, I have had 3 treatments and I can now move my knee a bit forward and also turn my ankle round, I still can’t put any weight on my foot, I have a wheelchair and use crutches to get to the loo. I have a few weeks with physo to go. So I would go back to your surgeon. I still in a bit of pain, a lot of pins and needles which is the blood flowing back! I hope this will help you.
Hi, I did check with my doctor and in doing the op to release the pressure they caused a haematona blood clot which caused my leg to swell and go hard.
I was in and out of A & E (emergency room) four times in two weeks with pain, they send me home three times but admitted me on fourth.
I had to have more surgrey to drain this on March 18, two weeks after fasciotomy.
My pain is great still a week after an my leg goes hard still now.
I couldn’t stand straight until 10 days in. Couldn’t walk without crutches was about 20 days in. The swelling is normal, behind knees is a really good sign it means your elevating high enough and long enough. I wasn’t so the swelling pooled in my lower calf and ankles and feet.
Hey everyone. I am 1.5 weeks post op of having this done on both my legs. I have been having extreme difficulty walking even with crutches so last night my partner massages my foot and gave my calf muscles a light stretch out. Ever since this I feel light and can actually walk semi normally and only with 1 crutch. Is this okay or too soon? Im a bit worried it may have been too soon for the stretch? Anyone else stretch that muscle in recovery? Thanks
Stretching starts early in recovery so don’t worry, be careful, don’t get deep massage because the inflammation process from this surgery lasts 6 to 8 weeks. I’m a month in and at the point where my legs look totally unswollen, I can walk normal yet if I do it over a little or spend more than 1 hour with legs down like sitting, BAM legs will swell to early post surgery size if I let it.
Hi All,
I stumbled upon this last year but have recently started having flare ups again & sought advice.
I was diagnosed back in ’99 – I was super active all during high school – now I work behind a desk (age 33) 😛
I limited my activity due to the pain caused by CS, now just walk or swim.
I started a new job & am able to walk to/from the new office but my legs cause so much pain to the point it will take to the following day to recover before I’m back to where i started. I am hobbling around everywhere.
I’ve been to the Doctor & been prescribed an anti-inflammatory diet and 800mg ibprofen for the pain – neither are working.
I dismissed having surgery before as I was young & vain but now I am considering doing it. I can’t go on holiday without flare ups from walking & now it is effecting me daily.
After reading all the posts I am slightly apprehensive.. should i just bight the bullet, suck it up and do the surgery?
Advice, thoughts, comments welcome.
Great blog & awesome to have a local source for sufferers.
Thanks!
Hey Alana,
I can (almost) feel your pain! If it’s at the point where it’s affecting you every day, I would just bite the bullet and investigate surgery. If you know Wellington at all, it was a short walk from the train station up to Thorndon that almost had me in tears going to the office each day but I had no other choice but to walk it.
I do have to say though, that now (six years later), I think I may need a repeat surgery on one of my compartments and I haven’t ever really been able to say I’m “cured”.
It’s no fun not being able to walk long distances and the scars do fade. No one has ever stared or asked me about them, and the ones on the inside of my legs are barely noticeable at all.
I hope this helps – good luck whatever you decide!
I had an emergency fasciotomy in both my legs due to acute compartment syndrome caused by being immobile for 9 hours during abdominal surgery (March 2014).
My left leg is worse than my right. I was never in a lot of pain (probably due to pain meds post surgery).
I am able to walk and due almost anything. However, and I was wondering if anyone has experienced this, recently my left leg is quite swollen. In fact the circumference of my calf is larger than immediately following surgery. I also a burning sensation in both legs (not severe pain level) as well as various bouts of pain (say level 3).
Has anyone here experienced pain post fasciotomy? My surgeon keeps on saying nothing is wrong, but the swelling in my leg, burning sensation and low grade pain are a bit of a concern for me.
I did have a skin graft on both legs and now I look like popeye. Not very appealing to look at in the least. Does not look like the cut can ever be closed either.
Does anyone have any idea when it is necessary to return to the doctor?
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Best,
maek
Hey Mark we seem to be having the same sort of symptoms. Just wondering what your abdominal surgery was? I had a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, something very unlikely for a 34 year old. I’m on a tonne of meds, the pain meds I’m on are oxycontin, gabapentin, paracetamol and amitripilyn. For burning pins and needles pain in my feet. My feet and lower legs swell badly if I’ve been on the whole day. And I’m unable to walk due to foot drop and loss of muscle in glutes and legs. Was in hospital for 6 months and have been out now for 3 months
Swelling is way normal, burning pain is nerve regeneration which is a great sign. If u experience new or worsening numbness later on in recovery, ask doctor, bruising will start to happen soon for you, that’s normal. Keep in mind when you’re at the point of kegs appearing normal no swelling or bruising, the inflammation process lasts long (6to 8 wks my surgeon said) so having legs down too much can cause the fluid to pool up FAST on your lower legs.im a month in with legs looking normal when I elevate a lot, 2 or 3 hours of sitting and my legs were swollen as much as the first few days of surgery!
Mark – not sure swelling 10 months post-op is normal. Just a long shot idea…swelling may be associated with venous insufficiency. Venous return from legs relies on calf veno-muscle pump function. If you’ve had a lot fascia cut or removed, you may have lost some muscle pump function. Again, just a long shot idea. A vascular doc specializing in venous insufficiency should be able to definitively diagnose or rule out. Best of luck!
I have suffered from compartment syndrome since 2009 when a hematoma/seroma burst after an ACL surgery and caused compartment syndrome in my leg. Delay in diagnosing and lots of scar tissue. I have had 8 unsuccessful fasciotomies. The last severed the extensor retinaculum of my ankle leading to additional pain and pressure from lengthened ant tib tendon and contracted Achilles’ tendon. Possible surgery upcoming to lengthen Achilles and tighten retinaculum which scarred together too loosely. Has anyone considered elective below knee amputation? My surgeon gave me name of vascular surgeon to discuss with. I spend my life trying to protect leg and not able to work/play.
Though I have never been an athlete nor been involved in any sports, I have had this burning pain that included numbness and foot slapping during walking or jogging for as long as I can remember. Way back when I was in grade school I can remember having this pain in gym class and I am now 41. My surgeon told me that he thought it was a manufacturers defect (if you will). After all these years I finally decided to have CS surgery on the anterior & lateral compartments of my left leg which involved (2) 3 inch incisions. My surgery was performed an outpatient and I was in and out in a matter of hours. Both of my legs needed the surgery and the Dr. would have done both at the same time but I decided to do each separately due to the complications that I have read about prior to surgery. I was not sent home with crutches and the Dr. wasn’t going to have me involved in any sort of physical therapy until I showed some concern. My PT started a week and a half post-op which involved the therapist giving me stretching instructions and a couple of bands. I felt that my recovery was going well so I decided to have my right leg done exactly one month after having my left done. Recovery on my right leg seems to feel a bit different; I am experiencing this aching pain when I stand up in the morning after a nights sleep. It’s like blood is circulating down my leg because after I have stood there for approximately 10-15 seconds, the pain goes away. Can anyone else relate to this sort of sensation?
Yes when I get up from sleep or elevating for hours, there’s a blood rush so the nerves suddenly fire off all tingly and painful. It’s natural during this healing
Jennifer,
Did the foot drop (or slap) ever go away?
Peace,
Ed
I have recently had this surgery about 3 weeks ago. I was able to walk without crutches after a week or so. Once I got my stitches out they put the butterfly strips on the incision but neglected to look in my file or tell me that it was adhesive, which I am allergic too. Now my incision looks terrible and may have a touch of infection in it. Hopefully I will be able to run by Christmas and Hope to recover better soon. This article was an excellent help, so thank you for that.
After reading your blog… I think I may have this as well. My feet constantly slap the ground when I’m running, and this is nothing new. They’ve been “slapping” for years but I always just assumed it was because I’m a born figure skater and not meant to be a really good runner. But lately its gotten worst. I can’t even run more than 10 minutes on the treadmill without slapping my feet and then have to completely stop. And following this I have this really weird pain deep inside both my legs for the rest of the day. I don’t know if the slapping is a symptom of something else? I really hope so as I don’t want surgery. Would you suggest I go see a physiotherapist instead of a gp to start with? Not sure if it’s even bad enough… the pain is there, no doubt about that and the slapping as well, but I’m not at the point where I end my workouts in tears.
Hi there 🙂
I would try a physiotherapist, yes. The foot drop can be a symptom of many things but the physio would probably be able to tell you if you have compartment syndrome anyway. The pain you’ve described doesn’t sound too promising.
Good luck!
On February 14, 2014 my husband was playing hockey and did a spiral break on both tibia and fibia bones. Because it was a spiral break…they had to do surgery to put in a pin to heal properly. After that surgery he started getting severe pain…dr checked and he had alot of pressure….because of the time between….it was too late and they had to remove dead muscle ( muscle that lifts front of foot)….his diagnosis ..drop foot. Long story short 7 surgeries later….two infections in there….he is still on a vac pac….just graduated to a cane from crutches. He is in severe pain for the most part in his foot….numbness on the bottom of foot. Has anyone else had pain after surgery? Surgeon says it will stop eventually…..heres hoping.
OMG! I’m so glad I found your blog – no one can really understand the pain of compartment syndrome until they’ve been through it. When I was first diagnosed my specialist hadn’t seen compartment syndrome in over 10 years! I had my first surgery in 2006 which left a scar about 8cm long. Have had a further 3 surgeries on the same spot over the last 8 years and now my scar is the entire length of my lower leg – some 30cm! My first surgery fixed the problem however when all the pain came back and they couldn’t work out why they had to cut me open again. It was then that they found out my body produces too much scar tissue and the scar tissue was strangling the nerve in my leg so they scraped it clean. Same thing happened again so for the 3rd op I was a bit of a guinea pig – after scraping my nerve clean again they wrapped a membrane around it. Back then, the membrane was a new thing and it was meant to deter the scar tissue from attacking the nerve….but to no avail. After many consults, 2nd and 3rd opinions and numerous xrays, MRI’s, nerve conduction studies, etc my last op in 2012 was to cut the nerve out so the scar tissue could not attack it any more – only a sensory nerve so still have control (no drop foot) but half my leg is numb permanently which is ok with me and it is weak – I sometimes have to remind myself to lift my leg when I walk.
Unfortunately, as a result of all the surgery my veins have been traumatised and I have now developed Chronic Venous Insufficiency 🙁 It never ends. And I’m still in pain as the scar tissue keeps forming and leg keeps swelling. I have to plan my day as I can’t walk more than 1km without being in excruciating pain. 10 years of this and I’m sooooo over it. Sorry for the rant but it is so mentally and physically draining – no exercise for 10 years, I too have put on so much weight – depression kicked in as well. Not that I wish this pain on any of you, it is nice to know there are others out there going through the same thing.
Dulcie, Sorry to hear of your problems with this awful disorder.
I too have had CCS since 2010 and my surgeon is the best out there. Dr Turnipseed from Madison Wi.
After I broke my ankle and hopped on my left leg for almost 10 weeks!! I have had 6 compartment releases from 4/2010 to 10/2012, My last one I felt pretty good for about 1 month then started to experience the same, just not as bad, but bad enough where standing at work all day is very painful.
I’ve had numerous tests done over the years. The latest was “Nerve ultrasound” and Vein ultrasound which they found I have a neuroma on my left leg where I had a bleed from the 3rd surgery where they they went in to do another fasciotmy. The Dr said he went in blind to release some scar tissue while he was in their!! He said he learned from that mistake!! Thanks Dr Turnipseed!
He did find that people with CCS, also have venous issues as well, he said he sees it all the time in these young kids, Im in my early 50’s and also have Reflux of the deep vein in my left leg but not in my right leg, even though it aches and does get cramps in it. Also just waking up in the morning, my legs ache. So in mid November I will have a “nerve conduction test” done on my right leg to see if a nerve is getting pinched. He said this is the last test that he can do.
So if it does come out negative, I’m going to have to learn to live with this!! Im going to have to come to turns with this or else it will consume me, which his has for the last 4 yrs.
I take 400mg ibuprofen q morning and 2 tramadol in am, aft and 1 in pm most days, and take hydrocodone 5/325 after work and have for almost 2 yrs. It has been tough, but a little helpful to read that other people are going thru the same thing I am, so at least I know Im not crazy.
I also did have the Dr check my pressures which are right leg 8mmhg, 10 and 17mmhg and right leg is 8,12 and 14. Which he said is normal even though I do read 0 to 12 is the normal.
I wish the best to everyone!
Tracy
Im schedued for the neuroma to be removed in December and a plastic tube like device that he will put in between the nerves, so each end will grow into it.
Hi all,
Incredible to read all these posts. I generally fall asleep doing research about my pains. I’ll make this brief and would so much appreciate a response. 23 Y/O male. Active, heavy. Ankle sprain, boot immobilization, then compartment syndrome incredibly high readings – released both legs. Recovery took forever but was successful (mostly) A year later, right peroneal nerve “entrapped” so surgeon decompressed or “cleaned” it out like Duclie mentioned. Now, 4 years later, another ankle sprain, probably too much ice and immobilizing again, the ankle is FINE but the upper peroneal nerve area is CHRONIC discomfort and now I’m nervous that when I run just to test things out, my lower leg compartments get tight again. Any way to avoid both surgeries again? Think these issues can improve without operation? I’m all over the PT, Accu, massage, stretching. Would love some feedback. Bless all you struggling people – let’s all please stay strong always.
Wish I had chronic compartment syndrome and the surgeons had caught it. Unfortunately I had severe acute compartment syndrome from my waist down. I had spine surgery and woke up with bilat leg compartment syndrome. The surgeons ignored my pain and my complaints, the respiratory and kidney failure. They didn’t do surgery. They covered it up and destroyed records to save their reputations. I have nerve, muscle and artery/vein/capillary damage. I take 24 hr morphine, Norco, Neurontin, ambien, valium, I have an implanted nerve stimulator. I have to sleep in a recliner in a straight position. I cannot put any pressure on the sides of my legs or have blankets on my feet.I cannot walk up hill, sit straight up for long or on hard surfaces, bend at the hip, squat , kneel, anything that increases the need for oxygen use in my legs or further diminishes oxygen supply in my legs. I have scar tissue that can be felt encircling both thighs 2 inches above the knees and encircling both ankles. You can also feel several fascia herniations, Intermittent compression devices were left on for 5 days without a break. I suffer from neuropathic paih, ischemic pain and muscle spasms
I was diagnosed with shin splints over 12 years ago and they would never heal. I used to be a long distance runner and had to stop. I play soccer religiously and was only playing about 25% because of the pain. I stumbled across Compartment Syndrome, went to a sports Dr, and had surgery on both legs. They said I would walk out of surgery. I did not. I am really good with taking pain and am 41 but it took me about 1 month to even walk kind of normal. The pain from surgery was unbelievable. But, well worth it.
I am now playing much better. I feel about 90%. I still have pain and have read that sometimes people need a 2nd surgery. There is no way I would do it again but I am very glad I did it the first time. I only wish Dr’s knew what it was and told me years ago. Oh well, life goes on. I will exercise until the day I die. I believe that the your body is more important than most things in life and you need to do maintenance once in a while. If you can’t run, you get fat, out of shape, and can’t keep up with your kids.
Point is, I am really glad I had the surgery. I am not a professional, just believe in health.
Greetings!
I am a 47 year old female who had the bilateral fasciotomy on July 7th, 2014. It was out-patient surgery and went home right after. I was only off work for 4 days before I went back – 1/2 days at first. I sit at a computer all day, so I was able to just prop up both legs and sit there doing my work. (Still with pain meds, I might add!)
The first 24 hrs were the worst – dizziness when standing, walking gingerly and only when necessary, but aside from swelling for about the first two weeks, I had no pain, no pins and needles, etc. I just had to stay off my feet and keep my legs elevated as much as possible.
My incisions itched a lot as the scabs started to form, but again – no pain. I felt like I was physically able to at least start walking around the neighborhood about 3 weeks after, but my doctor doesn’t want any exercise until 12 weeks out. Yes, I have put on weight from being so sedentary. 16 lbs!! But, to be fair, I have pretty much been eating whatever I want and “treating” myself during this long recovery.
I don’t know what a difference the surgery has made yet, as I’m still waiting to get going again. But as far as the experience of the surgery and recovery – I didn’t think it was that bad. Three c-sections I had in the 90’s were a lot worse to go through than this :). My pressure was 50+ in one leg and 80+ in the other before surgery.
We are quite the club, aren’t we?!?! Prayers for us all as we continue toward recovery. 🙂
Hi people
Crazy to see so many incidents of CS around! Goes to show how common it is. I know a lot of people with “shin splints” so it makes sense to have a few less with sever conditions or known as CS.
I’m 23 and I’ve always been very active, whether its on the rugby field, gym or just running. I played 85kg rugby for 2 years and in this period I had to diet and do about 5 hours of cardio a week just to keep underweight and that doesn’t include the game! I have always had tight calves and hamstrings so I put my soreness over the years down to that. I would get a small fracture in my tibia in 2013 so I rested up and assumed it was just shin splints. I received a lot of physio for it and it would go away but then come back so I knew there was an underlying condition.
Lucky for me I had the original calf injury under ACC so all of the consultations with specialists, surgeons and the actual test were free (apart from the test). My anterior compartment readings were high but not as high as some of the people on here. My posterior was not as high but wouldn’t release after the 10 minute period so we decided to get it cut while I was at it. So for 3 cuts all up on both legs is going to cost 8k through a private hospital. Luckily insurance will cover 80% but still leaves me with a decent sum. So I am going to get my surgery done in a few months.
I am hoping that, while mine is not sever as others on here and I am only in pain when running or long distance walking, I am able to recover to normal levels of activity without pain within the next year. May be a bit optimistic but who knows.
Good luck for everyones recovery.
Hi Kurt,
I was interested to see you post and hope surgery went well. My son is 16 and has just had surgery recommended. We live in Auckland. Are there any surgeons with experience with compartment exertional syndrome that you could suggest? If so, we’d be very keen to hear who they are (Auckland or anywhere in New Zealand).
Thanks
Rob Graham
email: rob.graham@hnzc.co.nz
mobile: 021 487 230
WOW, I didn’t realize there were so many people out there suffering the same thing I am….I’m 37yrs old and have had “shin splints” since I was 17. Just found out about 4 months ago it is actually compartment syndrome. Its gotten so bad that walking 50 ft will cause the pain to come on. Even driving for too long starts to hurt now. My children are small and we are a very active/athletic family. It makes it really difficult to keep up with them – 13yrs, 6yrs, and 4yrs.
I’m kinda nervous about the surgery. My surgeon says he’s never seen a case this bad and is not sure of the long term – untreated – effects might be. I just want to be able to play with my kids and remain active. I love circuit training – I want to be able to do this without the pain.
In the mean time, any advise on pain control? Other than “if it hurts, stop”. I can’t stop life… I take Celebrex everyday for pain – not much help.
Thanks
hi i also suffer from chronic compartment syndrome =( i have for the past year and a half. i first got it when i was 21 i was training for a 14km run with a friend and working 12 hours a day on hard floors, i continued this for three months, until one day i sat down on the couch and felt horrible pain and tightness in both my lower legs, it instantly brought me to tears and my legs blew up like balloons. i was frightened and getting horrible cramps and pins and needles, more so in my right leg than my left. i stopped running, but continued training on other equipment, like the bike or row machine. i’d never really been a physical person, i walked most nights with my mum, and did circuit three days a week for about four months, prier before i teamed up with a friend to train for a run, so i guess the running was a bit of a shock to my body. for a long time i didn’t actually know what i had, i just stopped running and continued to work long hours. i eventually went on holidays taking six weeks off, but still the pain or swelling did not subside and it didn’t matter how many pain killers or iburphen tablets or creams i used or took would rid the problem.
when i returned home, i went back to the doctors, he told me to try massage, acupuncture, dry needling and yoga. dry needling brought a lot of my swelling down and caused me a lot of pain, but i still had symptoms of an on going issue. eventually due to, to much pain i was fired from my job as they wouldn’t allow me to cut back my hours, so there for i was terrified to go to work due to the pain i was in. (by the way my job was a barista and at the time was 21 years old i am now turning 23). anyway long story short, losing my job made me march back to the doctors, i was given a referral for a surgeon & compression test. my readings are 47 and rising post exercise and wouldn’t drop below 37 after rest in my anterior compartments in both legs, so am now on a waiting list for surgery at some point this years which excites me as this problem has caused me to move back home with my parents and am only at this point capable of working 5 hours a day, i continue to walk and sometimes ride a bike, and i take magnesium, fish oil & make plenty of ginger & orange juices, drink lots of water and try and eat as clean and healthy as i find it helps slightly with the pain and also its not the greatest tasting thing but mixing as much turmeric powder as i can stand in natural greek yoghurt AS its a great anti inflammatory. its sounds crazy i know, but i’d rather avoid pain killers as much as i can as i don’t want my body becoming immune to them or realliant on them, but if anyone who is suffering this injury/condition pretty sure like myself you try anything to make it bare able, i always wear compression too and good cushioned sneakers…..the days of high heels, jeans & dresses are behind me … until surgery day … i am super nervous and my dad is dead against it, they don’t really understand, but no one does until there the ones who have it …. by far its the worst thing i have ever had to cope with =(
Hi
I can’t believe there are so many people with this condition. It took around a year and thousands of dollars before I received a diagnosis. In the end it was a physiotherapist who diagnosed me by looking at my legs as I walked! I was even told it had to be cancer in both my legs, and as I underwent the tests I thought that would explain the pain.
As people have described, the pain comes on with exercise/activity, in particular in my case it was when I walked up hills or even slight inclines and walking or running up stairs in particular was the worst.
I don’t like running and never have so my condition wasn’t sports related. I first noticed an increased tightness in my calf’s, pain when walking, night pain, pins and needles and that ache!
Your Dad won’t understand the pain, which was really bad. I am so sorry you are going through it. It is like an intense cramp. I remember having to ring someone to come get me when I was in town because I couldn’t walk back to my car.
You feel like you are going mad because you don’t know anyone that has gone through it, especially without an accident related compartment syndrome. It was worse pain than any fracture/sprain/torn tendons I have had (yes I am a bit accident prone)
I underwent bilateral anterior fasciotomy about 10 years ago when I was about 25. I have had surgery’s before and this was pretty painful afterwards, but not for too long. The scars are pretty impressive initially, but don’t worry because they have really settled down. My recommendations are:
– Take at least 3 weeks off work and don’t go walking anywhere far from the couch. Rest up over those three weeks and put your feet up. You won’t have a choice initially because it is too sore to walk! I only rested for two weeks, thought I could walk around again, and ended up with severe swelling in my feet and blood poisoning. My legs ended up like putty – you could leave your hand print in them!! Yuck.
– when the scars heal – about 6 weeks or when there is no open wound/exposed skin- use bio-oil or vitamin E oil. It really helped reduce the redness. But i still have four pretty obvious, with a couple of deep scars in my legs. Saying that ten years on the scars are a lot less obvious – for example in photos you have too look for them to notice them.
– Don’t go back to strenuous activity/gym/running too soon. You really do not want to undo the surgery because it isn’t something you want to repeat if you can avoid it.
– the surgery involves cutting nerves, so don’t be too alarmed because you have lost a bit of sensation where the surgery was. For example when you shave your legs you couldn’t really feel it. The feeling/sensation does come back but it took a long time. Where the surgery was is still really sensitive if you bump your leg, but no biggy.
Things I have noticed 10 years on:
– Yeah I have scars but I can walk with minimal discomfort which is more important – I walk about an hour a day now to and from work.
– my lower legs are sensitive if bumped
– I have pins and needles in my feet – more so at night/evening when you are resting. Again not a biggy.
– sometimes my legs ache at night. This was more regular just after the surgery, but certainly has gotten better years on. For example I can go months without any pain at night, but then it comes on for a few weeks during the night.
– flat shoes for more than one day cause me grief (like wearing jandles for weeks) Flat shoes are better if they have a good insole or are a sneaker type thing.
– high heels are fine now – but not ridiculous ones – more like ziera heels…even at your age there may be a pair you like?!
– wearing tights or skinny jeans seems to be a good thing – it’s like the compression/tightness relieves the uncomfortable ache that sometimes happens.
The most important thing is I couldn’t not have coped with that pain for any longer. The surgery has enabled me to nearly live the life I had before this condition came on. The surgeon told me at the time he hadn’t seen a case as severe so I am grateful that I could have it done.
You shouldn’t have the massage on the areas that have the compartment syndrome, it hurts like hell when they are doing it, and it is not making it better. Having a massage is for muscle pain/strains. Although the compartment syndrome is because your muscle grows too big for the muscle sheath and the pain is when the blood cannot flow, rubbing the muscle won’t help. Your GP may not understand what this condition is if he recommended that?!
I don’t take pain killers now. I do take vitamins, including vitamin D, which helps with muscles and overall pain. I think it helps. Unfortunately it most likely won’t make a bit difference before you have the surgery.
All the best for the surgery, and you should know it will get better. Also you don’t want to get into the mindset that the pain won’t go away after the surgery, sometimes if you tell yourself that it will come true.
I think that’s all I have to say about it really. Ask me any questions if you have them.
Take care
Cath
I have chronic compartment syndrome in both legs. After four years of trying everything of treatment I finally got the operation. So three weeks ago I had my right leg done, fasciotomy of all four compartments. I have two scars, one on the inside and one on the outside, both are about 10 cm. The scar have healed very well, but I have reduced/none skin-sensibility around the scar on the inside. The doctor said it’s normal, because superficial nerves in the skin area are damaged during the surgery, but this will be back to normal within the first year. The leg is still swallowed, especially on the outside of the foot. But the leg don’t feel hard, it feels more like touching a water ballon (almost like non-pitting edema if you know what that is). This is also normal, the doctor said it should be better after a few months but it could take longer. At this point I feel optimistic about the surgery! If this works they will operate the other leg as well.
Fasciotomy of ALL four compartments are recommanded at my hospital, even if you only have symptoms from one or two compartments. It’s recommanded because if one compartment is affected, usually the others are also affected. If they only do fasciotomy of one compartment, they may have to reoperate the other compartments later. They also only operate one leg at time, then you can feel the difference and be you’re own “answer”. (And you don’t have to use a wheelchair).
I am getting a fasciotomy in both legs also after at least 20 years of pain of varying severity (i’m 38), I’ve never been at all athletic and in recent years have been overweight due to lack of exercise and comfort eating. Of course, this makes the pain worse. It took a long time to get diagnosed, I have been through very expensive podiatry, including at least 6 different sets of orthodics. I had venal surgery a month ago and will have the other surgery in the next few months before i move overseas in july. Have joined this group https://www.facebook.com/groups/497289303708928/
Hi
I have chronic compartment syndrome and have had this for about 8 years. I had a fasciotomy done on both of my shins 4 and a half years ago – doctor told me to start walking immediately after surgery in order to aid the recovery. The surgery however failed in one leg and a nerve got trapped so I had the surgery repeated and my nerve released on just one leg a year later. Now more than 3 and a half years later I still get the pain after exercise. As a national athlete in the UK this condition is extremely frustrating although I have found the key for me is to limit high impact activities when possible and to break up these with low impact activities. I do not think there is a cure for this although stretching after activity helps to reduce the pressure.