Acute compartment syndrome after rupture of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle

Rupture of the gastrocnemius muscle is an uncommon injury, with most cases occurring in athletically active individuals. The presentation of a gastroc nemius rupture is the acute onset of calf pain and subsequent ecchymosis. M ost of these injuries can be treated symptomatically with good results. We present an unusual case of gastrocnemius muscle tear complicated by acute c ompartment syndrome. Physicians need to be aware of this potentially devast ating complication of gastrocnemius rupture.