Abstract
The medial tibial syndrome (chronic compartment syndrome) is the most common specific
overuse injury among athletes in Finland, and it is especially a problem in endurance
sports, long-distance running, and jogging. Conservative treatment is usually successful,
but if it fails, fasciotomy of the deep posterior compartment is observed to be beneficial.
In the years 1975-1984, we performed fasciotomy in 34 patients, of whom 14 had a bilateral
operation. Thirty-one patients were active in sports, 22 were long-distance runners
and joggers. The operations of 15 patients (22 legs) were performed under local anesthesia
as an outpatient procedure.
The follow-up results in general were good. In 21 patients (78%) of those 27 who could
be followed up, the final result was excellent or good, in 4 (15%) fair, and only
in 2 (7%) poor.
Fasciotomy is a simple operation and can be performed as an outpatient procedure under
local anesthesia. For bilateral symptoms, we recommend two different procedures with
a time interval of about 2 weeks to avoid the postoperative hematoma and difficulties
in mobilization often seen, when operated simultaneously.
Key words
fasciotomy - medial tibial syndrome - overuse injury - lower leg
