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Home » Consumer Information » Sports Injuries

Anterior Compartment Syndrome

Anterior compartment syndrome occurs when the muscle (the tibialis anterior) on the outside of the shin (the anterior compartment) grows too large for the sheath that surrounds it. This happens when the muscle is overused and/or overdeveloped. It also occurs when the sheath loses its elasticity and can no longer expand to accommodate the muscle. Anterior compartment syndrome is common in distance runners and athletes with long mileage regimens.

The syndrome causes pain in the tibialis anterior, which increases during exercise. With rest, the pain subsides, but resurfaces once physical activity resumes, making running nearly impossible. A person suffering from anterior compartment syndrome will also notice difficulty lifting the toes and foot and pain when pulling them downward.

To recover from anterior compartment syndrome, it is best to rest until pain is no longer experienced. Anti-inflammatory medication will help the muscle to settle, and massaging the area will increase the muscle sheath's elasticity. Surgery, which consists of cutting the muscle sheath to let the muscle expand, may be necessary in serious cases.

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