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Understanding compartment syndrome in athletes

Understanding compartment syndrome in athletes


Little-known and sometimes misdiagnosed, compartment syndrome (chronic) is a painful condition encountered mainly in athletes. At the moment of exertion, discomfort is felt in the muscle. It doesn't subside, but becomes increasingly intense, forcing the athlete to stop all activity altogether.

Muscle compartment syndrome generally occurs during intensive exercise. An overworked muscle swells and finds itself cramped in its compartment. This compresses all the tissues and veins in the compartment, causing pain that can be very intense.

While painkillers often have little effect, there are natural solutions to help athletes get back to training. We take a closer look at compartment syndrome.

Article summary

What is compartment syndrome?

The compartment syndrome is a painful syndrome whose intensity increases with effort. Let's start with a little background to understand the origin of this pain. A muscle is made up of muscular tissue and connective tissue including blood vessels and nerves. It's enveloped in a fibrous membrane called the aponeurosis.

The compartment syndrome is caused by increased intra-tissue pressure of the lodge caused by intense effort. The volume of the muscle increases dramatically, while the membrane containing it is not extensible. Tissues are compressed, and this excessive restriction causes painful lesions. The athlete then has no choice but to stop his or her activity.

How do you recognize compartment syndrome?

Chronic compartment syndrome appears during exercise. It occurs always in the same place and after the same level of sporting intensity. It generally affects the calves or forearms, but can also occur in the arm, buttock or abdomen.

At rest, the clinical examination is relatively normal. Exercise test reveals pain and reveals significant tension in the lodge. Conventional imaging techniques cannot diagnose compartment syndrome, but they can help rule out other pathologies.

Only by measuring intramuscular pressure can a definitive diagnosis of compartment syndrome be made. This test is performed in three stages. A needle implanted in the compartment measures pressure first at rest, then 1 minute after exertion, and finally 5 minutes after exertion. Above-standard pressure after 5 minutes confirms the diagnosis.

What are the risk factors?

Chronic compartment syndrome mainly affects athletes who use the same muscles too often, with sustained activity of around 15 to 20 hours of training per week. calf being the most frequent localization. Certain sports are associated with compartment syndrome, such as :

  • running, soccer, rollerblading, swimming with flippers or skiing are the most traumatic. for lower limbs
  • windsurfing, water-skiing, rock-climbing and motocross, all expose you to the same risk. forearms

Men are more often affected by compartment syndrome, with the majority of sportsmen and women between the ages of 20 and 30.

Musicians and craftsmen who perform repeated, high-pressure movements on a daily basis may also be prone to compartment syndrome.

Relieve muscle, ligament and joint disorders with STIMCARE

Simply apply the patch by following our tutorial videos, available in French only. here to guide you every step of the way.

If you have any questions about how to apply the patch, send your request to sante@stimcareonline.com. A therapist trained and certified to apply STIMCARE patches will take the time to answer your questions.

How to relieve compartment syndrome

First of all, it's important to consult your doctor as soon as the first symptoms appear, to rule out any risk of serious damage.

Functional compartment syndrome caused by excessive muscular effort can be relieved by natural and effective solutions. Here are some of them:

  • Rest : start by stopping your sporting activity to rest your muscle. You'll then need to readjust your training, reduce the intensity and review the equipment used to balance the level of effort.
  • Physiotherapy : by stretching, lymphatic drainage, massage and proprioception exercises can improve perfusion of the lodges.
  • Lavandin super essential oil : Known for its calming properties, lavandin super essential oil helps reduce muscle tension. After exercise, massage the affected area to relieve muscle tension.
  • STIMCARE patches : Made from mineral oxides, the patches work naturally by mirroring the infrared rays emitted by the body. Placed directly on the affected muscles, the patches promote relaxation by improving blood micro-circulation. In the case of chronic compartment syndrome, they can be used for prevention and during exercise (lasting 3 to 5 days).
    Since compartment syndrome can affect different parts of the body depending on the individual, we invite you to write to sante@stimcareonline.com to get personalized advice from a therapist on the most suitable application for your patches.

Compartment syndrome is a painful syndrome that can be difficult to diagnose. STIMCARE patches help relieve your muscular discomfort so you can get back to training quickly.

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