What is compartment syndrome, the injury suffered by runners ?

Course à pied : qu’est-ce que le syndrome des loges ?

Little known, this injury can be in its chronic form, encountered by runners, during the preparation of a marathon or any other long-distance event. It is located in the muscle compartments to constitute the syndrome called “compartment”. Explanations.

A compartment is a cavity that contains, beyond certain muscles and tendons, deep nerves and blood vessels: veins and/or arteries. We call compartment syndrome the compression of the latter (nerves and vessels) caused by an increase in the volume of the muscles of the compartment. Which is inextensible. The pressure exerted between the container and its contents will therefore cause severe pain.

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A repeated effort

In its chronic form, compartment syndrome can manifest itself during repeated effort, during a practice such as cross-country skiing, football – it was first described in a professional footballer in 1912 – or even running. The typical case is the athlete preparing for a marathon or a long-distance trail.

A specific pain

In this case, the pain, very sharp and intense, is felt in what specialists call the “antero-external” part of the leg: in front of the tibia, slightly on the external side, therefore. In other words, the part of the leg that contains the muscles that allow you to lift your foot and straighten your toes, particularly used during fast running and knee raises. If this pain immediately forces the runner to stop training, it gradually disappears within a few dozen minutes after stopping! Before returning as soon as the race resumes, even more so on hills or during sprints.

Medical or surgical treatment

In all cases, this type of pain should lead to seeing a doctor, who will confirm or deny the diagnosis, after the clinical examination. He can also make the diagnosis, after the effort, using a device equipped with a needle that measures intramuscular pressure. He can also prescribe physiotherapy sessions, to improve functional capacities. But, in this chronic form and in the presence of high pressure within the compartment, the treatment can also be surgical. Minimally invasive, the intervention will aim to release the pressure.

Sometimes, an emergency…

Finally, there are more rarely acute forms of compartment syndrome, which can mean the beginning of muscle necrosis. The symptoms make it difficult to miss them because the pain seems unbearable, just as it is impossible to put your foot – potentially insensible – on the ground. In such a case, the emergency is to consult. Without waiting.