Although either the acute or chronic form of exertional compartment syndrome may occur, chronic is more common. Patients typically experience pain and swelling and may also have sensory deficits or paresthesias, and motor loss or weakness.
Diagnosis is confirmed by intracompartmental pressure measurements before and after exercise.
Although activity modification may alleviate symptoms, fasciotomy may be required. Although ECS has been described in the forearm, thigh, and gluteal regions, the leg remains the most common site of involvement. Swelling in the lateral or the anterior compartment can compress both the deep and the superficial peroneal nerves against the neck of the fibula. It pierces the lateral compartment fascia at the junction of the midthird and distal third of the leg. Fascial hernias commonly occur at the superficial peroneal nerve's point of exit and can cause compression neuropathy.