[Exertion-induced compartment syndrome of the peroneal space after bowling : correction by transfer of the posterior tibialis muscle]

Abstract

A 30-year-old man presented several times with pain in the calf after twisting his foot and injuring it during bowling. It was some time before the diagnosis of acute exertion-induced compartment syndrome was made, and an immediate fasciotomy could no longer prevent necrosis of the peroneal muscles. Because of the patient's drop-foot, we performed a tibialis posterior tendon transfer, fixing it to the cuneiform bone. The sort of compartment syndrome observed after engagement in various sports is a recognised, albeit uncommon, variant of acute compartment syndrome. A high level of suspicion and observation is required to make the diagnosis when any leg pain has no definite diagnosis. Fasciotomy should be performed early.