I haven’t done the full on testing yet, but my physiotherapist suspects that I may have compartment syndrom.
Any advice, information or past experience regarding this condition would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
I used to have chronic lower leg pain due to overpronation, but I managed to side step (pun intended) developing actual compartment syndrome. But I do sympathize. Luckily, I was able to solve my problem with soft tissue work and cutom orthotics.
The following link migh prove helpful.
Thanks a lot Flash! That site was acctually very helpful. I’ve been to see my doctor since and he believes that it is the acute form which is a relief and I’ve also noticed that the symptoms only act up when wearing my ankle braces, probably due to lack of circulation in my lower legs, so I’ll be working on my ankle strength a lot over the summer in order to get out of the braces.
Thanks again!
That definitely makes sense. What were the ankle braces for? As a rule, I think prophylactic taping and bracing is the worst way to protect a joint. If you retrict motion around a joint it tends to weaken the muscles and motor control around that joint and transfer stress forces to neighboring joints. In the case of the ankle, shear forces get translated up to the knee.
I have pretty weak ankles, have had a few really bad sprains to both of them. Spent the first few months of this season working them out constantly to get them up to speed and out of my braces but then after a bad landing I rolled one of them again and had to start wearing them again. I completely agree that they are the worst, and in the long run only lead to more injuries…but during season I have few other options to protect them.
If you have any suggestions though I’m all ears! 
Andrea, I doubt your ankle braces are contributing to your compartment syndrome.
Was it the anterior compartment?
Is it a coincedance (sp) that the time you have lower leg pain is when you are active in your sport and wearing ankle braces. Do you wear your ankle braces at any other time?
Taping and bracing are an excellent way to protect an ankle joint that has had numerous sprains and there is marked joint laxity.
I don’t reccomend wearing them for preventive purposes for “healthy” ankles.
Remember that you’re not wearing ski boots that will transfer the rotational forces to your knee.
Check the strength and proprioceptive levels of someone who gets their ankles taped repeatedly and you’ll find they are not “weak”.
Also, the added mental “support” given to an athlete who “needs” his chronicly injured ankle in order to train or play.
Remember, ligament collagen formation and optimal tensile ligament strength is not present until 60-90 days after injury. An athlete certainly could return to activity before than and needs the joint protected from excessive ROM.
Avoid Creatine
Compartment Syndrome is a bugger!
3 diff types; anterior, lateral and posterior.
Hard lactic training (fast runs with short recovery) and long runs are mostly affected and become more and more difficult to complete. Sometimes one can get a numb sensation in the foot or ‘pins and needles’ during a run.
Eventually it becomes increasingly difficult to dorsiflex and pronate whilst running and pain becomes more acute.
During running or walking the muscles of the calve swell up due to extra blood supply reqd during hard exercise (the muscles are surrounded by a fascial sheath). the fascia however, which are comparitively tough sheets, restrict this swelling wich leads to increased intra-muscular pressure and eventually the muscle starts restricting its own blood supply. Cessation of exercise leads to complete relief of swelling and pain. Sometimes fascial hernias can occur(in the wealess part of the fascia).
I’ve read that the most effective cure is a Fasciotomy, where a slit is made in the fascia which allows the muscle belly to swell unimpeded, therefore obviating the aforementioned side effects.
Andrea, I doubt your ankle braces are contributing to your compartment syndrome.
Was it the anterior compartment?Is it a coincedance (sp) that the time you have lower leg pain is when you are active in your sport and wearing ankle braces. Do you wear your ankle braces at any other time?
Taping and bracing are an excellent way to protect an ankle joint that has had numerous sprains and there is marked joint laxity.
I don’t reccomend wearing them for preventive purposes for “healthy” ankles.
Remember that you’re not wearing ski boots that will transfer the rotational forces to your knee.
Check the strength and proprioceptive levels of someone who gets their ankles taped repeatedly and you’ll find they are not “weak”.
Also, the added mental “support” given to an athlete who “needs” his chronicly injured ankle in order to train or play.
Remember, ligament collagen formation and optimal tensile ligament strength is not present until 60-90 days after injury. An athlete certainly could return to activity before than and needs the joint protected from excessive ROM.
I’m not sure if it’s a coincidence or not with the ankle braces. However before the acctual diagnosis and sever pain I did previously notice a similar discomfort if the taping was done too tightly.
To speak of I have had NO problems with the anterior compartments while training without my braces so that seems like it would be quite a coincidence.
I’m planning on getting out of the braces by next season, but I need to devote some more time to exercising and stretching them. They are currently pretty weak and I don’t feel comfortable playing without them at the moment. The most recent injury (about 4 months ago) is still quite sore.
I know the breaces are certainly not helping with my speed or agility and I play MUCH better without them! But you’re right about the mental support they give!