Compartment Syndrome and Receiving Social Security Disability
Compartment syndrome is when there is compression of nerves, blood vessels and muscle inside of a compartment (closed space) inside of your body. This results in tissue death from lack of oxygenation. Your blood vessels are compressed by the raised pressure inside of the affected compartment. Compartment syndrome develops most often in your lower leg and forearm. However, this syndrome can also occur in your foot, thigh, hand or upper arm. Compartment syndrome may be either acute or chronic. Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency that usually results from a severe injury. If left untreated, acute compartment syndrome can result in permanent muscle damage. Chronic compartment syndrome, which is also known as chronic exertional compartment syndrome, is not usually a medical emergency. However, it is a long-term, ongoing problem that usually results from athletic exertion. Although anyone can have compartment syndrome, it usually occurs in athletes who are involved in sports with repetitive movements like biking, swimming, running or fast walking. As mentioned earlier, acute compartment syndrome is usually caused by a severe injury. Chronic compartment syndrome may be caused by exercise or repetitive muscle contraction that causes the tissue pressure inside of a compartment to rise to an abnormally high level, venous hypertension (high pressure in your veins), having enlarged muscles or an especially inelastic or thick fascia. The signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome depend on whether your condition is chronic or acute. Signs and symptoms of chronic compartment syndrome include:- Cramping or pain during exercise that goes away when the activity stops
- Swelling or bulging as a result of a muscle hernia
- Numbness or tingling in your affected limb
- Foot drop if nerves in your legs are affected
- Weakness of the affected limb
- Tightness in your affected limb.
- Pain that is especially noticeable when the muscle in the affected compartment is stretched
- Tingling or burning sensations (paresthesias) in your skin
- Pain that is more intense than what would be expected from the injury
- Your affected muscle feeling full or tight
- Pain that increases with stretching or using the affected muscles
- Numbness or paralysis that may be an indication of permanent tissue damage.
