Understanding Physiological Changes of the Muscle in Compartment Syndrome

Abstract

Abstract Compartment Syndrome is experienced as chronic or acute pain of muscle compartments within extremities of the human body. It is a biological condition that is related to and diagnosed by large changes in the intramuscular compartment pressure (IMCP). Acute Compartment Syndrome (ACS) is known to be caused by injury local to the compartment, such as a bone fracture or extreme external impact. Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome (CECS) however has no known cause. Subsequent to swelling and increased IMCP, the pathophysiology of symptoms is explained, but the initial cause is unknown. In this study, data of various muscle properties was collected, and data analyses were run to determine significant correlating factors of muscles most affected by CECS. It is observed that affected muscles possess larger fiber length when at rest and undergo larger changes in tendon length (i.e. tendon slack) upon movement. During CECS, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the muscle also increases due to increased blood perfusion, and subsequently the IMCP will increase. It is proven that there is a direct relationship between CECS and IMCP, but the physiological changes in the muscle, as well as external effects such as gait, are still being speculated.