Compartment Syndrome Specifics

Compartment syndrome is not the overloading of coats and umbrellas and purses into that small hall closet, but it follows that same principle related to the foot! It is a medical condition that is caused by too much blood invading a particular space within the foot leading to HUGE pressures that can damage the muscles, nerves, and other soft tissues in the area of increased pressure!

Many people are familiar with the fact that the foot is comprised of muscles, bones, blood vessels, nerves and other soft tissue structures, however, most people are unaware of the way the foot is laid out. These specific structures are arranged in such a way that there are 9 compartments within the foot!

Medial
Lateral
Superficial
Calcanea
Adductor
4] Interosseous

The smallest and most compressed of all the compartments is the calcaneal compartment and it is located directly below your ankles! 3 of the compartments: medial, lateral and superficial run through the whole length of the foot.

What can cause a buildup of pressure in these compartments? A foot injury such as a fracture can cause increased pressure because blood to the area will coagulate (or clot) into a hematoma leading to compartment syndrome. The calcaneal compartment is the most at risk because it is the smallest and injury to the heel bone (the calcaneus) results in a lot of blood because it is comprised of cancellous bone. (Cancellous bone has a huge vascular supply to it)

There are several signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome such as swelling of the foot, a purplish bruise on the bottom of your foot called a plantar ecchymosis, severe pain, and nerve sensations such as shooting and tingling!

Compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency and if you have sustained an injury it is important to call your podiatrist right away! Your podiatrist will first evaluate all the signs and symptoms and take pressures of each of the compartments to ascertain the presence of the pathology. They then will conduct a fasciotomy which is a surgical procedure that releases the divisions between the other foot compartments so that the area under a lot of stress can decompress! The huge increase of pressure due to trauma endangers the structures in the compartment – so to save them, fasciotomies are done. Always consult your podiatrist about any foot problems you encounter and if you sustain an injury make sure to see them right away; it could make all the difference!

Central Florida Foot and Ankle Center
101 6th St Nw
Winter Haven, Fl 33881
Phone: (863) 299-4551
www.FLFootandAnkle.com