Muscle Strength, Oxygen Saturation and Physical Activity in Patients with Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome Compared to Asymptomatic Controls.

Background: One of the most common causes of exercise-induced pain in the lower leg is chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS). Research is limited on muscle strength, oxygen saturation and physical activity in patients with CECS. Purpose: To compare muscle strength, oxygen saturation, and daily physical activity between patients with CECS and matched asymptomatic controls. A secondary purpose was to investigate the association between oxygen saturation and lower leg pain in patients with CECS. Study Design: Case-control study. Method: Maximal isometric muscle strength of the ankle plantar and dorsiflexors was tested in patients with CECS and sex- and age-matched controls using an isokinetic dynamometer and oxygen saturation (StO Results: Twenty-four patients with CECS and 24 controls were included. There were no differences in maximal isometric plantar or dorsiflexion muscle strength between patients and controls. Baseline StO Conclusion: Patients with CECS have similar leg muscle strength, oxygen saturation and physical activity levels as asymptomatic controls. However, patients with CECS experienced significantly higher levels of lower leg pain than the controls during running, daily activities and at rest. Oxygen saturation and lower leg pain were not associated. Level of Evidence: Level 3b.