Sequential bilateral chronic calf compartment syndrome in a non-athletic patient: A case report
Chronic compartment syndrome is an underdiagnosed cause of leg pain primarily seen secondary to exertion in athletic patients, with risk factors including anabolic steroid use. We report a rare case of a patient with non-athletic, non-exertional sequential bilateral calf chronic compartment syndrome...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Orthopaedic Reports |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773157X25000499 |
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| author | Zavier Yongxuan Lim Vikaesh Moorthy Lester Teong Jin Tan |
| author_facet | Zavier Yongxuan Lim Vikaesh Moorthy Lester Teong Jin Tan |
| author_sort | Zavier Yongxuan Lim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Chronic compartment syndrome is an underdiagnosed cause of leg pain primarily seen secondary to exertion in athletic patients, with risk factors including anabolic steroid use. We report a rare case of a patient with non-athletic, non-exertional sequential bilateral calf chronic compartment syndrome with excellent recovery following bilateral fasciotomy in a 52-year old Chinese gentleman with poorly controlled diabetes.He underwent fasciotomy of the left lower limb with excellent symptomatic improvement postoperatively. Two years later, he re-presented with right calf pain and increase in right calf circumference. He then underwent right lower limb fasciotomy with complete resolution of pain subsequently.Overall, there is limited literature available regarding non-exertional chronic compartment syndrome. The present report suggests that a high degree of clinical suspicion of chronic compartment syndrome is needed in patients with poorly controlled diabetes and cardinal symptoms such as pain, tightness and cramping. Fasciotomy is an effective treatment option for chronic compartment syndrome, and should be considered even in non-athletic and non-exertional cases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-49760f5873de423ca3279f263b111bdd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2773-157X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Orthopaedic Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-49760f5873de423ca3279f263b111bdd2025-08-26T04:14:43ZengElsevierJournal of Orthopaedic Reports2773-157X2025-08-014210059710.1016/j.jorep.2025.100597Sequential bilateral chronic calf compartment syndrome in a non-athletic patient: A case reportZavier Yongxuan Lim0Vikaesh Moorthy1Lester Teong Jin Tan2Corresponding author.; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Singapore), 11 Jln Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Singapore), 11 Jln Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Singapore), 11 Jln Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433Chronic compartment syndrome is an underdiagnosed cause of leg pain primarily seen secondary to exertion in athletic patients, with risk factors including anabolic steroid use. We report a rare case of a patient with non-athletic, non-exertional sequential bilateral calf chronic compartment syndrome with excellent recovery following bilateral fasciotomy in a 52-year old Chinese gentleman with poorly controlled diabetes.He underwent fasciotomy of the left lower limb with excellent symptomatic improvement postoperatively. Two years later, he re-presented with right calf pain and increase in right calf circumference. He then underwent right lower limb fasciotomy with complete resolution of pain subsequently.Overall, there is limited literature available regarding non-exertional chronic compartment syndrome. The present report suggests that a high degree of clinical suspicion of chronic compartment syndrome is needed in patients with poorly controlled diabetes and cardinal symptoms such as pain, tightness and cramping. Fasciotomy is an effective treatment option for chronic compartment syndrome, and should be considered even in non-athletic and non-exertional cases.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773157X25000499 |
| spellingShingle | Zavier Yongxuan Lim Vikaesh Moorthy Lester Teong Jin Tan Sequential bilateral chronic calf compartment syndrome in a non-athletic patient: A case report Journal of Orthopaedic Reports |
| title | Sequential bilateral chronic calf compartment syndrome in a non-athletic patient: A case report |
| title_full | Sequential bilateral chronic calf compartment syndrome in a non-athletic patient: A case report |
| title_fullStr | Sequential bilateral chronic calf compartment syndrome in a non-athletic patient: A case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sequential bilateral chronic calf compartment syndrome in a non-athletic patient: A case report |
| title_short | Sequential bilateral chronic calf compartment syndrome in a non-athletic patient: A case report |
| title_sort | sequential bilateral chronic calf compartment syndrome in a non athletic patient a case report |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773157X25000499 |
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