When you exercise, your muscles increase in size. This is particularly evident in the upper limbs, however, in your lower limbs, to allow us to run without wobbling the muscles are more tightly bound down by a fibrous tissue sheet called fascia.

 

When you run your calf muscles in particularly swell.  Normally this is accommodated within this fibrous or fascial sheath.  In some people; overtraining, excessive hill work, worn shoes (particularly on the outside of the shoe), or excessive supination can lead to increased or abnormal swelling of the muscles to such an extent that they begin to cut off their own blood supply, albeit temporarily. Whilst physiotherapy, improved training schedules and orthotics can help, sometimes surgery is required.

 

Via a 1.5cm incision the offending facia is released percutaneously up to the knee and down to the ankle. This is curative for the condition. 

 

Diagnostically shin splints, stress fractures, vitamin D deficiency deficit can mimic some of the symptoms of compartment syndrome. You will therefore most likely have an MRI scan and some blood tests before any surgery is considered.

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• Blood tests and an MRI scan are required before surgery and bloods

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• You will be able to drive 5-7 days post surgery

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• You will be fit to return to work/drive 10-14 post surgery, and should expect to be back to full fitness 6-8 weeks post surgery​​

 

• Sometimes a course of physiotherapy is required

 

• You will have a follow-up consultation 3 weeks after having surgery, and then at 3 months when you will be discharged​​

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• If you have private medical insurance, the procedure code you will need to provide to your insurance company is T5540

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Please always remember to ask Mr Parker at your consultation reference any specific recovery queries relating to your job or lifestyle.