Mini-Open Surgical Fasciotomy for Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome of the Forearm in Professional Motorcycling Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate treatment and outcome of mini-open fasciotomy (MOF) in a population of adolescent motorcycling racers affected by forearm chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS).

DESIGN

Prospective case series.

SETTING

University hospital/private practice.

PATIENTS: Nine professional motorcycling adolescents were diagnosed with forearm CECS. All were treated with MOF between 2007 and 2012 and followed for a minimum of 5 years (range 5-10 years). Age, sex, body mass index, laterality, and profession were recorded.

INTERVENTIONS: A MOF to obtain decompression of all compartments was performed in all patients.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual analog scale; a subjective scale to measure strength; and Quick-DASH functional scores. Time to resume full riding capacities as the short-term evaluation.

RESULTS

A significant decrease in visual analog scale (P < 0.001) and Quick-DASH (P < 0.001) scores was observed in the first 3 months, stabilizing during follow-up (P = 0.521; P = 0.217). Average time to return to sport was 2.8 ± 1 week. No symptom recurrence was reported, but one patient suffered a minor complication. There were no cases of infection, hematoma, or peripheral nerve injury.

CONCLUSIONS

We assess that MOF can be a valid alternative for the treatment of forearm CECS in adolescent competitive motorcycling racers, as demonstrated by the good success rate and minimal incidence of complications during follow-up.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, case series.