3. An 18-year-old woman decided to train for a triathlon. A few months into trai

Question

3. An 18-year-old woman decided to train for a triathlon. A few months into training, she began to experience extreme pain on the anterior side of her lower leg while running and walking. She continued to train anyway until the pain became unbearable and she went to Urgent Care. The physician examined her leg and found that the anterior portion of her leg was swollen and sensitive to touch. She also exhibited only limited dorsiflexion of her foot and toes. She was diagnosed to suffer from "anterior compartment syndrome" a. What is the anterior compartment of the leg? What are the main structures it contains muscles, arteries, and nerves)? What general movements are provided? (Use anatomical terminology in your description) (3) b. What is the likely cause of this woman's leg pain? (1) c. Briefly state how the anatomy of the leg makes it susceptible to this kind of injury? (1) Patients with this injury sometimes experience sensation loss in their feet. How can this be explained? (1) d. e. Briefly describe the difference between acute and chronic compartment syndrome? (2)

Explanation / Answer

a. The anterior compartment of the leg is a fascial compartment of the lower limb. Muscles: 4 muscles (tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneus tertius). Artery: Anterior tibial artery. Nerve: Deep peroneal nerve (anterior tibial nerve). Muscles: 4 muscles (tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneus tertius).

Movements: dorsiflexion of the ankle , foot, toe, inversion of the foot, maintenance of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot, extension of toe, eversion of foot.

b. Because the fascia does not stretch, this can cause increased pressure on the capillaries, nerves, and muscles in the compartment causing leg pain.

c. Such injuries develops when the pressure inside the fascia surrounding the muscles and bone increases without relief and can cause destruction of the capillaries and nerve cells inside

d. Sensationsl loss develops when the pressure inside the fascia surrounding the muscles and bone increases without relief and can cause destruction of the capillaries and nerve cells inside.

e. Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency. It is usually caused by a severe injury. Without treatment, it can lead to permanent muscle damage.

Chronic compartment syndrome, also known as exertional compartment syndrome, is usually not a medical emergency. It is most often caused by athletic exertion.

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