Bilateral chronic exertional compartment syndromes of the forearm: rare cause of repeat exertional rhabdomyolysis episodes

Introduction. - An effort-related compartmental syndrome is well known in the leg, but may be present infrequently, acutely or chronically in the anterior compartment of the forearm. Exegesis. - We report a case of a 32-year-old man who presented four times after climbing exercices a bilateral compartment of the forearm, unusual because of the observation of rhabdomyolysis, but without irreversible damage. Clinical information and follow-up on two acute and 14 chronic cases were reexamined, showing a homogenous presentation. He refused fasciotomy because he stopped athletic activities. Measurement of intramuscular pressure after exertion was useful for diagnosis. Conclusion. - A local effort-related pain must call to mind a chronic compartment syndrome of the forearm, which may risk incurring the acute form, with irreversible lesions of muscle and nerve, and possibly renal failure because of rhabdomyolsis. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.