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L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 83 COMPARTMENT SYNDROME: ACUTE OR CHRONIC An acute compartment syndrome usually results from some type of acute trauma like a direct blow to the area, bone fracture, or other sudden injuries that cause inflammation. Other causes include vigorous exercise with immediate symptom onset, blood clots, tight bandaging, or surgical procedures. Symptoms don't always appear immediately, which makes identifying the condition difficult. Acute compartment syndromes are less common than chronic ones, but are far more dangerous because they usually involve greater degrees of swelling and greater pressure levels within the compartment. If the sudden increase in pressure is not relieved, tissue necrosis and permanent damage can result. Subsequent tissue necrosis could potentially lead to the necessity for limb amputation, thus why immediate care is necessary. Acute compartment syndromes also occur from unusual activities in which tissues are compressed for long periods. One clinical case reported a man who passed out on a staircase for 8–10 hours as a result of a drug overdose. The prolonged pressure on his thigh and gluteal region from the staircase caused compartment syndrome that resulted in irreversible neurological damage to his sciatic nerve. 2 Acute forms can also result from long surgeries where a body part is immobile for long periods on the operating table, so medical staff must prevent constant pressure in one location. There is also some indication that rapid muscle growth, such as that resulting from anabolic steroids, may lead to compartment syndrome. For example, a boxer taking steroids developed bilateral foot drop after a sudden vigorous run. Foot drop is often a symptom of some type of neurological disease or problem at the nerve root level. However, in this case, bilateral compartment syndrome had put pressure on the deep fibular nerve on each side, causing the foot drop. 3 ƒ „ Lower leg view of compartments. Image from‹3D4Medical's Complete Anatomy application. Contents of the anterior compartment. Image from‹3D4Medical's Complete Anatomy application. Compartment syndromes are not highly common, which is why soft-tissue therapists may not be aware of them. Anterior compartment Tibial artery, vein, and deep fibular nerve