Wow, it's been a long time since I've updated this blog. The reasons for this were partly due to laziness and partly due to being unsure how to convey how I have progressed.
The good news - beyond numbness on the inside of my leg above my right ankle (which does not really affect much), there are no lasting problems from the surgery. Additionally, I do not have Compartment Syndrome symptoms and had an additional pressure test in which it was confirmed that the CS is gone.
The bad news - The back pain that was thought to have been secondary to the CS has not improved, and I have had problems higher up the chain involving my left hip.
Now, from the perspective of people who have CS and are reading this for advice, the back pain issue probably should not bother you. From what I can tell, most people whose lives have been compromised by CS are not also suffering from debilitating back pain, as I was (so that shouldn't be an issue).
The hip problems I have had (pain, decrease range of motion, can't really ride a bike....) may or may not be a result of the surgery, it's impossible to tell. I'm wondering if anyone else out there has experienced problems in other parts of their bodies that they believe might have been due to the surgery.
It's entirely possible that I am a special case and my body might just be kind of fucked - The CS is gone though, and I have no regrets about the fasciotomy.
My advice: If it's severely impacting your life and you are young, find an EXPERIENCED surgeon (does at least 5-10 of them a year), and get it done. Being active kicks ass....don't let anyone tell you to accept what has happened to you and not do anything about it.
Thank you I just got finished reading your entire blog and I know a little more about what to expect. I am in the military an have been dealing with these same symptoms for over 10 years.. I kept getting told it was just because I was over weight and I needed to work out more.. low and behold I finally get a dr who suggested CS.
ReplyDeleteI am going in for my surgery on Sept 13th and I am having a ton of anxiety for some reason. Reading your blog was very helpful though and explained a ton!
Thanks again.
hi guys Im sort of in the same boat, it started off when active in the army and the past few years I became very active and competitive in marathons and such that I over exerted my legs developing cs very quick. I had surgery almost three weeks ago and am still in the recovery phase...cannot walk still and very numb in my ankles. My doctor says that the left leg suffered more and was more damaged than my right and will be slightly bigger once healed but is taking longer to do so. Any suggestions? I'm new at the blog thing and found this in hopes to get tips of recovering and maybe ease my frustration. I have ran about every day since age ten and not being able to so much as walk is torture beyond explanation...
DeleteHi, I am a 16 year old athlete (female) going in for a bilateral fasciotomy of all 4 compartments in a few weeks. I'm not too nervous since most of the blogs etc. I have read all have positive feedback, but I just had a few questions. 1) how bad is the scarring? As a girl this is one of the things I worry about, haha! and 2) Do your calves bulge out weird since surgery? I read somewhere that they might.... Do you think maybe you could post pictures? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteScarring was minimal (and I didn't even bother using minimizing creams because I kind of like them as mementos - maybe I'm weird) I also read about the "bulging" but I personally have not experienced anything like that. Because of my hip issues though, I have not been able to get back to full activity, so it is possible if I started to do intense calf raises that it would look strange, but I doubt it.
DeleteMy high school son had surgery this summer on both legs after we finally switched doctors as we were told he had shin splints for over a year. Although he didn't make it back to running in time to compete in his senior year of cross country, he is determined to run spring track.
ReplyDeleteDon't be afraid to change doctors if you don't feel you aren't being taken serious!
Thank you for your insightful blog :) very helpful for fellow suffers of CECS.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you have no symptoms of CECS but sad to hear that you have other joint issues :( I am sure given time & your tenacity that you will be able to have a full active sports life ahead of you.
I would like to thank you for posting your blog, I found it informative, Honest & funny at times.
Without the internet I am sure that people suffering from CECS would have enough information to base their decisions for surgery, I know in our case that has be so. In saying that in the last 6 years information on the net re CECS has exploded.
Here is our story....
Our daughter is 19 & her surgery is booked for Jan 2013. She will have both anterior compartments released on both legs. She has been suffering from this shitty condition since she was 13. She gave up Netball, Dance, Ballet & now she has constant numbness across both feet, with poor circulation. Any activity that should be considered "normal" looks to be an impossability without surgery.
We too were given the run around by every known PT healer- nothing helped.
Last attempt at dance onset of symptoms was within 1-2 mins with what seemed to be a ripping of fascia causing a golfball sized hernia on her tibitalis anterior.
Her surgeon Dr Allan Turnbull, Orthopedic surgeon In Sydney, will perform keyhole full compartment release. He is very experienced in this procedure & we have complete confidence
She is eagerly waiting for the surgery
Good luck!
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ReplyDeleteHi Sam!
ReplyDeleteThanks for starting this blog. My 22-year-old son is thinking about having a fasciotomy, and I am trying to get all the info I can. How are you doing now? How's your back? Hips? Are you able to lead an active lifestyle? I know you said that these problems might not be related to the surgery, but I was still curious if you are able to return to normal activities?
Kathy
Hi Sam
ReplyDeleteThank you for blogging this, made me feel reassured. After 8 years in the armed forces, the last 3 has been effected with what is now known as CS. I got for my test in 2 weeks. I tried extensive rehabilitation to get though this for 2 years and now am resided to go under the knife. I also get the back pain a lot. I intend to share this with the medical staff here in the UK as its the most comprehensive explanation of what i am going through any were on the net.
Once again many thanks
Liam
hello I am new to this and found your blog...Im recovering now from surgery and want to ask some questions.... I hope you still reply and read these
ReplyDeleteExcellent,
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed with CS and am looking for a experienced surgeon possible in New York Can You please advise one if not please provide the one that did surgery for you I will go to Boston
Jacob.soleimani@gmail.com
Hey there.
ReplyDeleteWas just diagnosed with exertional compartment syndrome. My anterior compartment spiked to a reading of 71 post-exertion. Yikes.
I've been dealing with this issue for close to 2.5 years and as a (very formerly active) 20-something, I have had a hard time adjusting to this rather lazy lifestyle.
Thank you for doing this blog. It has helped tremendously, as I'm considering surgery for the anterior and lateral compartments in mid-April. Any thoughts or words of advice?
My email is hayley.pasko@gmail.com if you get a second and could share some thoughts. :)
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