FASCIOTOMY OF THE POSTERIOR FEMORAL MUSCLE COMPARTMENT IN ATHLETES

Over a period of 13 years fasciotomy was performed on 46 athletes with chronic pain located at the posterior femoral muscle compartment, The patients could be divided, according to the etiology, in two groups: exertion (26 patients) and trauma (20 patients). In the first group th e symptoms appeared without any sudden trauma and most of the athletes competed in endurance sports (e.g. 16 long distance runners). In the second group there was a history of hamstring muscle rupture or recurr ent injuries. The symptoms were dull pain, stiffness, cramps and weakn ess of the posterior thigh during and after training. Conservative tre atment methods did not help to eliminate the symptoms during a long pr eoperative follow-up period. Posterior fasciotomy (minimum 20 cm) to t he thigh was performed through one or two incisions. In four patients a simultaneous liberation, division or suturation of the muscle scar w as done. The patients were followed up for 19 months and the results o f the fasciotomy were good or excellent in 39 cases. Pain at the poste rior thigh muscle compartment may sometimes become chronic and hamper the training of athletes. Fasciotomy seems to be an effective method t o help these patients return to their previous level of sports.