Acute exertional compartment syndrome of the lumbar paraspinal muscles in a weightlifter. A case report

BACKGROUND: Compartment syndrome (CS) is a well-known phenomenon in orthopaedics associated with traumatic injury to an extremity or over exertion which ultimately leads to prolonged and elevated intrafascial pressures. CS was initially described by Volkmann in 1881[1]. With any active muscle, there is a transient rise in intrafascial pressure from resting range of approximately 3 mmHg to 7.95 mmHg [2]. When this increase in pressure is too great or not transient, then a subsequent compartment syndrome develops. The consequences of such physiologic imbalance can induce muscle necrosis, nerve damage, vascular compromise, functional deficits, and potentially loss of limb[3,4]. Typical initial presentation of CS includes pain out of proportion to the severity of injury, which is intensified with passive motion of the muscle within the affected fascial compartment.[4] Non musculoskeletal manifestations of CS generally present themselves as the syndrome progresses and can include rhabdomyolysis, myoglobinuria, acute kidney injury, or acute tubular necrosis [4]. These non musculoskeletal manifestations of CS are potential etiologies causing patients to present for treatment [4]. PURPOSE: There have been approximately 20 previous case reports on paraspinal compartment syndrome with a combination of surgical and medical treatments in these patients. We will present a case of paraspinal CS in an avid weightlifter and discuss diagnostic and treatment options surrounding this syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Case Report PATIENT SAMPLE: This is a report of a single patient who presented to Duke University Medical Center. METHODS: We report the case of a 29 year old male with paraspinal compartment syndrome who was treated with fasciotomies. This was considered an IRB exempt study by our IRB as such informed consent was not obtained by the patient prior to publication. RESULTS: This patients had resolution of symptoms after surgical intervention which continued through follow up. CONCLUSION: Paraspinal compartment syndrome can be effectively treated with surgical fasciotomy.