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Dear Hands on Health massage therapists,
Have you had any experience working on someone with anterior compartment syndrome? My physical therapist seems to think that is what I have since I am not responding to physical therapy which I have been going to for 2 months twice a week (for shin splints).
My PT wants me to go have the test done where they test the pressure in your muscles before and after exercise and potentially have a fasciotomy to release it.
But, I figured I would ask since you are so damn smart!
Donna
Donna,
Anterior Compartment Syndrome is a very serious condition as is another similar condition, stress fracture. Both of these, if not treated aggressively can lead to tissue necrosis (tissue death). In this case, I most certainly would get the test for anterior compartment syndrome and would ask about whether stress fractures might be involved. I would not start treating this with just massage as massage may not be aggressive enough to get blood flow back to an area blocked by so much edema. Massage during the aggressive process is indicated but it is not enough to take care of these conditions quickly enough. Believe me; you want to take care of this ASAP. If research shows fasciotomy is a good approach then do it, if steroids, then do it!
Just to scare you into taking aggressive action: I worked with a woman years ago who would come in once every 3 or so months for shin splint massage. She was an weekend warrior athlete and it turned out that it was actually stress fractures in both legs. She let it go on so long that she ended up 6 months in a wheelchair such that the tissues could heal. Did she blame me for giving her massage? No, but I never forgot and always take shin splints very seriously and warn people to be sure to take action when there is any possibility of these two problems.
Ultimately, you’ll likely be able to prevent further occurrence with education, massage, ice plunges, and stretching.
Best of Care,
One of the “Hands” at Hands On Health