Forearm compartment pressures and grip strength in elite motorbike racers with chronic exertional compartment syndrome

BACKGROUND: Remarkably little research has been published on chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) of the forearm. This study investigated forearm flexor compartment pressure pre- and post-exercise in elite motorbike racers clinically diagnosed with CECS and assessed their grip strength before and after arm pump exercise. METHODS: Elite motorbike riders with a clinical diagnosis of CECS of the right forearm when racing were recruited during the opening rounds of a British Superbike season. Their grip strength and forearm flexor compartment pressures were measured before and after a set exercise programme. RESULTS: Of the 11 riders recruited to the study, 10 completed the full testing regime. The mean pre-exercise forearm compartment pressures [11.7 mmHg (range 7–17 mmHg)] significantly increased post-exercise [30.5 mmHg (range 15–45 mmHg)], with a mean increase of 18.80 mmHg (P < 0.0001). The mean pre-exercise grip strength [50.61 mmHg (range 37–66.7 mmHg)] decreased post-exercise to [35.62 mmHg (range 17.1–52.5 mmHg)], a mean decrease of 14.99 mmHg (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: There is a statistically significant increase in the forearm flexor compartment pressures in elite motorbike racers with CECS, but with marked variability of these values. Grip strength decreases statistically significantly following onset of symptoms of CECS of the forearm.