Effects of Forefoot Running on Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome:  A Case Series.

Why you should pay attention to this:  This was an early published case series involving two patients with anterior exertional compartment syndrome of the legs who reduced their symptoms and increased their ability to run pain-free by transitioning to a running gait with a forefoot strike.   A larger case series in 2013 using ten patients similarly showed symptom improvement and improvement in compartment pressures with this approach (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22427621).  Traditionally, compartment syndrome is managed surgically, but even with the anterior compartment, up to 17% of patients experience mixed outcomes from the procedure.  Patients occasionally will respond to prolonged ASTYM treatment in physical therapy, but it can take up to 5-6 weeks before seeing any improvement.  Patients with symptoms isolated to the anterior compartment who are willing to modify their running technique can take heart that forefoot running seems to be a potential pathway to symptom relief without the need for surgery.

If you have undiagnosed leg pain with activity, or if you have pain that has been diagnosed as anterior compartment syndrome and want instruction in forefoot running techniques as a means of avoiding surgery, give our office a call at (515) 221-1102 to schedule an appointment.