Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome Treated With Botulinum Toxin-A Yielding 36-Month Total Symptom Relief: A Case Report

Mil Med. 2023 May 16;188(5-6):e1310-e1313. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usab253.

Abstract

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) can be a debilitating condition observed in athletes, including military service members. Surgical fascial release, first described in 1956, has long been a standard treatment despite symptom recurrence in up to 45% of surgically treated military service members. A 2013 case series introduced intracompartmental Botulinum Toxin-A (BoNT-A) injections as a nonsurgical CECS treatment option, demonstrating efficacy for 15 of 16 patients. At the time of this submission, two additional case reports addressing BoNT-A injections for CECS have occurred. This case report describes a U.S. Military service member treated with ultrasound-guided BoNT-A for bilateral lower leg CECS. This patient achieved pain-free activities for 36 months with one treatment. This case, coupled with additional literature, supports consideration of BoNT-A as a potential long-term, nonsurgical alternative for CECS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A* / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Disease
  • Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome / complications
  • Compartment Syndromes* / diagnosis
  • Compartment Syndromes* / drug therapy
  • Compartment Syndromes* / surgery
  • Fasciotomy
  • Humans
  • Leg

Substances

  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A