Compartment Syndrome Leg - Anyone Have Test/Surgery?

Justkeepswimmin

So today we found out from the doc that its very likely hubby has leg compartment syndrome (chronic) his whole life (he says this explains why 35 years ago (in high school) he had so many issues in track..

The doctor is pretty sure since hubbys legs get rock solid pretty fast after exercize but is doing the test Thursday to be sure. It's supposidly pretty painful. They said the surgery would take about 3-4 weeks to recover from.

We're signed up for Jan tinkerbell 1/2 marathon and doc said it'd prolly be doable.

Anyone w/ experiences with this?

Prattville65

My daughter just had the surgery to release all four compartments on both legs six weeks ago. Still very slow going on the healing process. She had not been released to run. We caught her symptoms early. But to be healed up totally in 3-4 weeks is not realistic. It took her 10 days to be able to walk unaided.

oaker

My daughter had the surgery done on her right leg after a couple yrs of painful basketball. Had the surgery in Jan and couldn't play any bball unitl may. I realize that people are different, but 3-4 wks sounds like a best case senario. In some cases, it does not ever get better. My daughters leg seems a lot better, but she still gets some pain. No sense in rushing the whole thing.

Justkeepswimmin

My daughter just had the surgery to release all four compartments on both legs six weeks ago. Still very slow going on the healing process. She had not been released to run. We caught her symptoms early. But to be healed up totally in 3-4 weeks is not realistic. It took her 10 days to be able to walk unaided.

If this is the case he will not be able to have the surgery at all I hope not the doctor did not seem to think it would be that bad ugh. He is a contractor and can't take off that much time, and with school starting I can't travel with him to drive him to and from work etc.

Justkeepswimmin

Ok did some scarry research - it sounds like most people have full athletic abilities back by 12 weeks but that some training can begin around 8 weeks. It'd be close and possibly make birthday impossible :sigh: but at least he'd be better. However, I still don't know how it'd work b/c how soon could he fly? He flys every week for work - how Long would I have to go with him...ugh.

Justkeepswimmin

My daughter just had the surgery to release all four compartments on both legs six weeks ago. Still very slow going on the healing process. She had not been released to run. We caught her symptoms early. But to be healed up totally in 3-4 weeks is not realistic. It took her 10 days to be able to walk unaided.

Did she have an injury? The doc said my husband has probably had this his whole life as he has had symptoms since high school. Was hers chronic or acute?

Kara_xxx

My daughter just had the surgery to release all four compartments on both legs six weeks ago. Still very slow going on the healing process. She had not been released to run. We caught her symptoms early. But to be healed up totally in 3-4 weeks is not realistic. It took her 10 days to be able to walk unaided.

If this is the case he will not be able to have the surgery at all I hope not the doctor did not seem to think it would be that bad ugh. He is a contractor and can't take off that much time, and with school starting I can't travel with him to drive him to and from work etc.

I've known athletes with compartment syndrome who were told that left untreated it could potentially become a life threatening issue. You might want to discuss the consequences of delaying or refusing surgery further with your doctor to discuss potential consequences of that.

Justkeepswimmin

My daughter just had the surgery to release all four compartments on both legs six weeks ago. Still very slow going on the healing process. She had not been released to run. We caught her symptoms early. But to be healed up totally in 3-4 weeks is not realistic. It took her 10 days to be able to walk unaided.

If this is the case he will not be able to have the surgery at all I hope not the doctor did not seem to think it would be that bad ugh. He is a contractor and can't take off that much time, and with school starting I can't travel with him to drive him to and from work etc.

I've known athletes with compartment syndrome who were told that left untreated it could potentially become a life threatening issue. You might want to discuss the consequences of delaying or refusing surgery further with your doctor to discuss potential consequences of that.

Doc said he's most likely had it for over 40 years as he's had the exact same pain since jr high and high school and never knew why it hurt so much to run (his track coach just said 'stretch more'...he's ticked at track coach now...) He's mid 50's now. So I don't think he's in immediate 'acute' danger of nerve damage or limb loss as discribed in those situations. He just can't exercize, which is not good.

Doc also said he should bike (stationary) and swim run for the time being.