Chronic Lodge Syndrome
Dr. Julien Lopez is a specialist in the management of chronic lodge syndrome: treatments, surgery, recovery…
The Doctor puts in place a complete accompaniment throughout the course of care. From the first consultation to the recovery, patients will benefit from the advice of a true specialist in foot and ankle pathology and sports trauma.
Chronic Leg Compartment Syndrome: Definition and Causes
Chronic Lodger Syndrome of the leg is characterized by increased abnormal pressure in an enclosed anatomical space called a lodge.
What is chronic lodge syndrome?
The muscles of the human body are separated from each other by membranes called aponeuroses. These muscles also have the particularity of being traversed by nerves and fibers whose role is to control their action and sensitivity. Blood vessels, on the other hand, allow blood circulation and provide oxygen. The membranes surrounding the muscles are particularly strong and not very extensible.
In the case of chronic lodges syndrome (or chronic aponeurosis of sports lodges), muscle, nerves and vessels are compressed in the membrane. They are subjected to excessive pressure resulting in poor circulation, a lack of oxygen supply and asphyxiation of the muscles.
Causes of Chronic Lodge Syndrome
Chronic lodges syndrome of the foot, arm or legs, usually occurs as a result of too much exertion or exertion of the muscles during a sports session for example. The increase in muscle volume may also be due to the formation of swelling, hematoma, venous or muscular abnormality. A thickened fascia can also be the cause of chronic calf, foot or arm compartment syndrome.
The most common symptoms are:
- Recurrent pain in the same muscle during exercise
- Progressive pain with the appearance of soreness in the days following sports practice
- Tingling, numbness or tingling in the concerned lodge
This syndrome can be either chronic or acute. This distinguishes the syndrome from acute and chronic lodges.
Chronic muscle compartment syndrome: diagnosis and risk factors
Several signals must be taken into account to detect the presence of chronic muscle compartment syndrome.
The diagnosis
The diagnosis usually consists of an exercise test. The lodges then become tense and painful during and after the effort.
To confirm the diagnosis, it is possible to use a device consisting of a needle implanted in the compartment with the objective of measuring intramuscular pressure.
The foot specialist will take 3 different measurements: at rest, 1 minute after exertion and 5 minutes after exertion.
In order to eliminate other diagnoses that may correspond to the symptoms felt by the patient, Dr. Lopez can also perform additional tests: blood tests, MRI, x-ray, EMG…
The risk factors
Some segments of the population are at increased risk of developing chronic lodge syndrome. The typical patient profile corresponds to young and sporty men between 20 and 30 years.
You are more likely to develop chronic lodge syndrome if you are:
- A runner on foot
- A footballer or fan of a sport involving running
- A cross-country skier
- A roller skater or if you swim with fins
The practice of a daily and intense sports activity is usually at the origin of the occurrence of the syndrome.
Surgery for chronic lodge syndrome and non-surgical treatments
Before resorting to surgery for chronic compartment syndrome, Dr. Julien Lopez will direct you towards non-surgical treatments. Several alternatives to surgery are possible depending on the case. It is particularly recommended to adapt sports practice and to resort to medical management.
The adaptation of sports practice
In order to effectively relieve symptoms and pain, it is necessary to reduce the intensity of effort or to change activity. It is also recommended to adapt the type of training by stretching and warming up.
The medical treatment
For chronic calf compartment syndrome, treatments are possible. In particular, Dr Julien Lopez can refer you to a physiotherapist specialized in the pathologies of sport. You will be able to benefit from support from a real expert.
The physiotherapist can advise you on the best actions to adopt to limit the symptoms of chronic lodges syndrome. In order to relieve the pain, the physiotherapist can perform massage sessions using different techniques: ultrasound, massages, lymphatic drainage, stretching exercises…
The intervention
If medical treatment fails, Dr.Julien Lopez will proceed with the operation of chronic lodge syndrome (also called aponeurosotomy). The objective of this procedure is to obtain decompression by opening the compartments affected by the pain.
There are two methods to perform this surgery: conventional surgery requiring large incisions; micro-invasive surgery or minimally invasive surgery of chronic lodges syndrome.
Dr. Julien Lopez systematically prefers the minimally invasive approach in order to reduce the size of the scars, reduce the risk of complications and facilitate the patient’s recovery process.
For chronic lodges syndrome, fasciotomy is generally effective in eliminating completely the pain felt by the patient. Possible complications (nerve damage, scarring problems, infection, etc.) are rare.
Once the surgery is complete, Dr. Julien Lopez will prescribe physiotherapy sessions as part of the rehabilitation. The goal is to regain full mobility and allow patients to resume their daily activities as soon as possible.
Resumption of sports activities is generally possible between 2 and 6 months after the surgery. In all cases, each pain or discomfort must systematically lead to a consultation with a specialist in the field. Dr Julien Lopez would be more than happy to welcome you to one of his four offices located in Nice, Cap d'Ail and Mandelieu. Do you feel pain in your forefoot, hindfoot or ankle? Dr. Julien Lopez will direct you to the surgical and non-surgical treatments best suited to your case and your pathology. With the help of his team, he will provide you with total support during your recovery.
