Monitoring dynamic anterior compartment pressures during exercise: A new technique using the STIC catheter

This report presents the early results of a new tech nique, using a solid-state transducer intracompart mental (STIC) catheter, developed to measure dy namic pressure changes in the anterior compartment of the leg in patients with exercise-induced anterior compartment syndrome. Nine male volunteers (15 limbs) with a history of exercise-induced anterior com partment pain were studied and compared to eleven asymptomatic male controls matched for age, weight and height. After catheter insertion, anterior compart ment pressures were recorded with the subjects walk ing and running on a treadmill and performing several static maneuvers before and after the exercise period. The most statistically significant value between the two groups was the difference in mean pressure dur ing running (P < 0.001). Presently, all mean running pressures greater than 85 mm Hg are considered abnormal. This new technique offers the investigator the opportunity to measure dynamic intracompart mental pressures in symptomatic patients and pro vides an objective measurement for selection of pa tients for fasciotomy.