Results of the surgical treatment of the medial tibial syndrome in athletes

Abstract

The medial tibial syndrome (chronic compartment syndrome) is the most common specific overuse injury among athletes in Finland, and it is especially a problem in endurance sports, long-distance running, and jogging. Conservative treatment is usually successful, but if it fails, fasciotomy of the deep posterior compartment is observed to be beneficial. In the years 1975-1984, we performed fasciotomy in 34 patients, of whom 14 had a bilateral operation. Thirty-one patients were active in sports, 22 were long-distance runners and joggers. The operations of 15 patients (22 legs) were performed under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. The follow-up results in general were good. In 21 patients (78%) of those 27 who could be followed up, the final result was excellent or good, in 4 (15%) fair, and only in 2 (7%) poor. Fasciotomy is a simple operation and can be performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. For bilateral symptoms, we recommend two different procedures with a time interval of about 2 weeks to avoid the postoperative hematoma and difficulties in mobilization often seen, when operated simultaneously.