The foot slapping the ground as it strikesĪcute compartment syndrome needs immediate treatment.Inability or difficulty moving the foot.Pain or cramping while exercising that subsides when activity stops.Symptoms of chronic compartment syndrome include: Pain that is more intense than the injury would suggest.Symptoms of acute compartment syndrome include: Repetitive exercises - activities, such as running or long-distance walking, can increase your risk of compartment syndrome.Overtraining - people who work out too much or too often put themselves at risk for compartment syndrome.Age - male and female athletes under the age of 30 are higher risk for chronic compartment syndrome.Enlarged muscles - enlarged muscles can cause the blood supply to be cut off to the tissues.Too much activity, too quickly - exercising too hard, too quickly or too often can cause chronic compartment syndrome because the blood pressure increases and the muscles expand the pressure cuts off the blood supply to the muscle.

Severely bruised muscles (potentially after a motorcycle accident)Ĭauses of chronic compartment syndrome include:.Causes of compartment syndromeĬompartment syndrome typically develops after car collisions or broken bones.Ĭonditions that may cause acute compartment syndrome include: The restricted blood flow puts pressure on the nerve and causes pain and numbness in the lower leg. Acute compartment syndrome occurs after a traumatic accident, such as a fracture, when pressure builds in the lower leg and leads to insufficient blood supply to the nerves and muscles.Ĭhronic compartment syndrome can occur during exercise when the muscles swell and the fascia surrounding the compartment is so tight that it restricts blood flow.

Compartments of the lower leg