Fasciotomy of calf

[JeffM]

Hi,
Has anybody out there had a fasciotomy for Compartment Syndrome and give me any advice of what it involves and how sucessful it was?

Or any other ways of getting rid of compartment syndrome?

Help, its ruining my running (and thus life!)

[Asteroid]

JeffM, I had a fasciotomy of the tibialis anterior (both legs) in 1985 when I was 21. Compartment syndrome pain is caused by the fascia being too tight and so not allowing the muscle to expand properly when being used. I was getting it every time I went running after about half a mile and it caused the muscles to become effectively 'solid' and painful for the rest of the run. As you infer - it wrecks your runs !

Had tests (Leicester RI) involving running on the spot with tubes inserted into muscles to measure pressure. It was four times what it should have been - hence the pain and 'solid' muscle. The tests were painful.

Had op. General anaesthetic. One inch scar on front of each shin but each fascia under skin had about a six-inch cut parallel to tibia. Painful walking for a few days (obviously) but jogging up and down the street after about a week. Went back to the hospital for tests after six months. Pressure was much reduced, no more pain when running.

At the time this was an experimental operation (by Dr Mike Allen - who also did the tests). Op was successful. Still running today (now M45). So if running is a high priority in your life, I recommend it...and besides medical advances since then may have made the process less painful :-)

[Smut]

I had compartment syndrome diagnosed in both legs in 2007. I could run for a bout 20 minutes before one of both of my calf muscles tightened and stopped me running. If I stopped the pain subsided and then reoccurred if I started to run. This went on for about 5 months and was variously misdiagnosed as muscle tears, posture problems and hip misalignment. I investigated the op route and the pictures and video stuff on the net put me off. On the point of retirement from running, I got to see an NHS physio who worked my calf muscles with a combination of deep muscle massage (very, very painful) and ultrasound. After 6 sessions I was cured and have gone to get fit and enjoy (fell) running again. Not sure if this helps, but be warned many people report that CS can come back even after the op!

[JeffM]

Thanks for these replies guys, I'm being referred to a lower leg specialist, he is a surgeon so I guess he'll have inclination to cut me open. But at least it will give me a better idea of how bad it is and what my options were.

Has anyone else had ultrasound on calves and what does it do?