The foot is divided into 4 compartments (interosseous, medial, lateral, central) with each containing muscles, nerves and arteries. Compartment syndrome is a painful condition that occurs when excessive pressure build-ups within these compartments.
This high pressure slows the flow of blood to and from the tissue within the foot and can result in permanent injury or surgery. There are two types of compartment syndrome of the foot.
What are the Types of Compartment Syndromes?
Compartment syndrome can be either acute, caused by an injury or trauma to the foot or exertional compartment syndrome, caused by exercise.
Acute Compartment Syndrome
The most common cause of acute compartment syndrome is a crush injury. It can also be caused by burns, tightly fitted bandages or casts, fractures, prolonged compression of a limb, surgery to blood vessels of the leg or a blood clot in a blood vessel in the leg.
Exertional Compartment Syndrome
Exertional compartment syndrome is a chronic condition that commonly occurs with the repetitive motions while running and cycling. The muscles become fatigued and irritated, causing swelling. This can be a result of extreme training regimes, incorrect footwear, biomechanical abnormalities, limb length differences and muscle weakness or tightness.
Symptoms
The symptoms of compartment syndrome include;
- Pain with stretching
- Pain of the ankle
- Soreness when moving the toes
- Pain when compressing the affected compartments
- Swelling and tightness
- Pale skin to the area with tissue damage
- Loss of sensation
- Firmness of the compartments
- Muscle weakness of foot muscles
Treatment of Compartment Syndrome
It is important to immediately stop the exercise that is causing the pain and seek your Podiatrist’s advice if you suspect you may have developed compartment syndrome of the foot.
It may be initially treated with specifically tailored stretching and physical therapy exercises that manage to address the underlying factors. This involves a thorough examination of your foot and leg biomechanics, your gait, your exercise, habits and your footwear.
Morland Podiatry – Compartment Syndrome of the Foot
If you suspect you may have compartment syndrome of the foot, cease exercise and seek advice from your Podiatrist as soon as possible. For more information regarding compartment syndrome and general foot problems, call Moreland Podiatry or make an appointment online today.
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