The NHS says that, if not treated in time, it could be ‘serious’
The NHS advises seeking help promptly if you experience numbness, weakness, or pins and needles. These could be symptoms of something known as compartment syndrome.
The NHS website explains: “Compartment syndrome is an increase in pressure inside a muscle, which restricts blood flow and causes pain. If it happens suddenly, it can be serious and need treatment as soon as possible.”
What are symptoms of compartment syndrome?
You can get compartment syndrome in any muscle, but it most often affects the muscles in the lower legs and forearms. Symptoms include:
- pain in a muscle – this may feel like a burning pain or a deep ache (moving the body part can make the pain even worse)
- swelling or bulging of the muscle
- numbness, weakness or pins and needles
- tightness or difficulty moving the affected body part
Symptoms can arise suddenly, typically after an injury or from a tightly applied bandage or plaster cast. This is called acute compartment syndrome. On the other hand, symptoms may develop gradually after exercise and ease with rest, known as chronic compartment syndrome.
The NHS advises seeing your GP if you experience recurring pain, numbness, swelling, or difficulty moving a part of your body while exercising. They can help determine whether the pain is due to compartment syndrome or another condition.
NHS says ‘call 999 or go to hospital’
If you experience sudden, severe pain in any part of your body, call 999 or go to the emergency department. If the pain is due to compartment syndrome, urgent surgery will be required for treatment.
Do I have compartment syndrome?
If the GP thinks you may have compartment syndrome, you may be referred to a specialist for tests. Measuring muscle pressure is typically recommended only if your symptoms and other test results indicate the possibility of compartment syndrome.
You can tell if you have this syndrome by having tests which include:
- an X-ray to check if you’ve broken a bone
- MRI scans while you’re resting and while you’re exercising
- compartment pressure measurement – a needle connected to a pressure monitoring device is inserted into your muscle before and after exercise to measure the pressure inside it
