Postoperative Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Fasciotomy for Exercise Induced Compartment Syndrome: A Case Series

Exercise induced compartment syndrome (EICS) is a rare source of pain in athletes that can significantly limit their ability to compete and train. We evaluated a series of patients undergoing open fasciotomy for EICS of the leg in our institution. Twenty-five patients were followed for an average of 3.2 ± 1.5 years postoperatively. Sixteen patients underwent bilateral fasciotomies (64%), with four patients (16%) receiving two compartment and 21 (84%) receiving four compartment release. A significant reduction in intra-compartmental pressure, measured intraoperatively by hand-held manometry, was observed in all treated compartments. Surgical success, defined as the absence of revision surgery within the study time-period, was achieved in 19 patients (76.0%). Postoperative wound complications occurred in six patients (24.0%). Twenty-four of 25 patients (96.0%) achieved confirmed return to function within the study period. Our case series confirms the efficacy of open fasciotomy for the treatment of EICS. Patients should be followed closely after fasciotomy, and further research is necessary to improve surgical techniques and rehabilitation to decrease postoperative complications. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 30(3):170–172, 2021)

Key words: exercise induced compartment syndrome, fasciotomy, sports medicine