Did you know that discomfort, excessive pressure, swelling and/or a feeling of weakness in your legs could be some of the possible signs that you are experiencing chronic compartment syndrome?
Athletes who mainly practice endurance training need to be aware of the symptoms of this disorder, after all, this condition can directly affect the muscles and nerves induced by exercise , which arise during or after physical activity.
Ignoring these signs can lead to more serious injuries and, consequently, affect your athletic performance. So, if you want to better understand this condition and prevent a decline in performance, stay here and learn how to protect yourself from chronic compartment syndrome.
What is chronic compartment syndrome?
Chronic compartment syndrome is a clinical condition characterized by increased pressure within the muscles, which are surrounded by a rigid structure called fascia, affecting the blood flow capacity and functionality of the tissues in the region.
According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine , chronic compartment syndrome is an occurrence that encompasses approximately 10% to 60% of leg pain situations related to physical activity.
This problem typically affects athletes who practice high-impact sports due to the intensity and repetition of movements during training. During exercise, the leg muscles are subjected to continuous demand, which can significantly increase tension in the muscle compartments.
Symptoms
To identify the disorder, it’s important to consider physical pain and discomfort. Therefore, it’s essential to be aware of other symptoms, such as swelling and tingling, to recognize and treat the syndrome. Other signs include :
- Numbness.
- Muscle weakness.
- Changes in skin color and temperature.
- Feeling of tightness in the muscles.
Causes
Muscle expansion and increased blood pressure caused by physical activity can cause the syndrome. Additionally, previous injuries (such as fractures or muscle trauma) can cause scar tissue to form and occupy spaces within the surface, putting pressure on muscles and nerves.
In summary, these reasons indicate that the disorder described can be triggered by a combination of factors, whether anatomical and/or even hereditary characteristics.
Risk factors
Of course, some health conditions are generally associated with a higher likelihood of developing certain diseases. Chronic compartment syndrome is no exception. This is because specific risk factors can increase the chances of developing the disease.
Below you can check out some of them.
- Anatomical changes (restriction of movement and inflammation in the limbs).
- Inappropriate footwear.
- Injury history.
- Age and gender.
- Overtraining .
- Hard training surfaces.
Who does chronic compartment syndrome affect?
Now that you know what chronic compartment syndrome is, it’s important to emphasize that it can affect not only athletes, but also less active people, especially if they perform intense physical activities without adequate preparation.
Additionally, individuals who have suffered previous muscle injuries and/or have had surgeries in the region of the muscle compartments may also face the disorder.
Above all, this condition mainly affects runners, where it is estimated that approximately 15% of competitive athletes and 5% of recreational athletes may present some degree of the syndrome , after all, repetitive and intense activities increase pressure in the region and, thus, contribute to the development of this problem.
Below you will find 4 detailed reasons why this problem affects, in particular, the performance of athletes who practice street running.
1. Excessive pressure
The excessive pressure caused by street running can trigger chronic compartment syndrome, after all, during practice, blood flow intensifies in order to supply oxygen and nutrients to the body.
Furthermore, the leg muscles expand and contract during running . If the muscle compartments around this region cannot stretch properly, the pressure on them can increase.
2. Compression of nerves and vessels
To provide the body with the necessary energy, blood flow increases, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the body. However, in some cases, this excessive pressure in the region can become very intense.
So, if it rises in the muscle compartments, the nerves and blood vessels are compressed. When this happens, blood can’t circulate properly, and these structures don’t function as they should. As a result, the athlete begins to experience severe leg pain and even tingling.
3. Compromised performance
A runner’s performance can be significantly affected by chronic compartment syndrome. When this condition is present, symptoms can arise during physical activity, impairing athletic performance.
Additionally, the athlete may struggle to maintain the desired speed and experience constant discomfort , leading to extra effort in training. These factors can result in a negative experience, affecting motivation and the ability to achieve the desired performance.
4. Emotional impact
Living with this problem can have a significant emotional impact on athletes . After all, dealing with constant pain, discomfort, and physical limitations while running can trigger a series of negative emotional reactions.
As a result, frustration is common, as the feeling of being “prevented” from achieving one’s goals in sports is affected by the syndrome’s symptoms. Furthermore, the sensation that practice was enjoyable is associated with pain and discomfort, causing motivation to train to diminish.
How to identify and treat chronic compartment syndrome?
First and foremost, early identification of chronic compartment syndrome is essential to prevent injuries and complications. If you engage in intense physical activity and experience persistent pain, tingling, and/or even muscle weakness during or after exercise, don’t ignore the symptoms!
The first step is to request a medical evaluation so the professional can conduct a detailed analysis of the patient’s symptoms and history. Typically, physical examinations are performed , in which pressure is applied to the affected muscle compartments to assess the body’s response.
Also, imaging tests (magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound) may be requested to obtain a more detailed view of the muscles and tissues, aiding in the diagnosis.
After all, is it possible to avoid chronic compartment syndrome?
Prevention is the best medicine for maintaining a healthy and complication-free exercise routine . The tip to avoid this condition is to adopt preventative measures, so follow a progressive and well-planned training plan , with gradual increases in intensity to allow your muscles to adapt without excessive pressure.
Additionally, ensuring adequate recovery time between workouts is crucial to preventing this condition. And don’t forget warm-up exercises , as they can help prevent this condition.
Finally, seek specialized clinical help if these signs are frequent . After all, having an early and appropriate diagnosis is important so that you do not suffer from this problem that affects the sports performance of many athletes!
