Compartment syndrome after acute rupture of the peroneus longus in a high school football player: a case report

Abstract

We report the case of a young athlete who sustained an inversion injury to his ankle and presented several hours later with leg pain out of proportion to the injury. Pressure measurements suggested a lateral compartment syndrome and he underwent an emergency fasciotomy. The case is described and recommendations for diagnosis and treatment are given. Acute compartment syndrome of the lower extremity is an orthopedic emergency. Expedient release by emergent fasciotomy can minimize the likelihood of serious consequences such as myonecrosis and ischemic contracture. Most commonly, compartment syndrome is the result of acute high-energy trauma and typically is managed by the orthopedic traumatologist.