CHRONIC LEG PAIN - PUTTING THE DIAGNOSTIC PIECES TOGETHER

Chronic pain in the calf, tibia, fibula, or muscle compartments Of the leg must be carefully evaluated to make the proper diagnosis and defi ne the most appropriate course of treatment. The most common overuse l eg injuries are stress fractures, chronic exertional compartment syndr ome, medial tibial stress syndrome, and strains and sprains. The histo ry is the key component of the evaluation. Targeted questions can sugg est which ancillary tests can confirm the working diagnosis. Infection , tumors, radiculopathy, and vascular compromise other than compartmen t syndrome are rare but must be considered in the differential.