Not too long ago I wrote a post about my Patella problem (perm. cartilage damage under the knee cap and tracking problems) and severe pain and numbness below my knee. As time went on during my therapy my lower leg became number, tighter and the pain has become awful, to the point where I hardly walk on it at all.  I also have a muscle bulge about 2 to 3 inches above my ankle that is red and when my therapist saw this he became concerned. He had me do the treadmill for four minutes on the lowest setting and when I came off my leg's diameter grew a half inch. At this point in time he suspected some compartment problems in my leg and called my OS. Today I am seeing my surgeon so he can reexamine my leg and decide what to do next. I am very concerned and to be honest a bit scared. I was wondering if anyone has had this experience? Thanks!
 
~ Bridget

Hello, Thanks. I actually saw my OS on Tuesday and he diagnosed the lump as a muscle hernia and believes my nerve is trapped in there, hence the tingles, numbness and cold foot. The new question is , how did I do this? He doesn't believe that my little bit of a twist and fall would cause this problem so he is going with chronic compartment syndrome also. I know for sure I need nerve decompression surgery but he is waiting to see my pressure results, before surgery, in case I need a fasciotomy also.

Thank you Kristin for your reply and input. May I ask how your leg felt with Compartment Syndrome and if you developed a hernia from it? I only got an MRI of my knee, not my lower leg. My hernia is VERY visible, even without flexing the muscle (it is an 1 1/2 inch oval that sticks out  about a half an inch.) My OS is not going to do an MRI of the lower leg and is going straight ahead with the Stryker Test (which he said and I quote "is very unpleasant.) Fun!
Anyways, the reason why I ask about your symptoms is because my OS looks at me like an alien when I try to describe how my leg feels. My symptoms range from extreme pain, tightness, stiffness, achiness, numbness  tingling, a ton of pressure (I told him it feels almost as if there is something in my leg trying to bust out) and almost as if my muscles are all twisted inside.
Im sorry to hear that you did not get a diagnosis right away and now have muscle damage. How are your nerves in that region?

Thank you so much for sharing that post, my story is quite similar to yours. This is my original post: http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEtalk/index.php?topic=59643.0  At my first appointment I was told I had tracking problems and a possible meniscus tear. I was told to go to PT while my MRI was being approved and I should start the following week. During the first week in physical therapy my lower leg came into play and I was in unbelievable pain. I let a few weeks pass and I ended up in the ER because I was told I my leg looked suspicious for a blood clot.  Thankfully the sonogram was negative but the doctor had not a clue what was going on and told me to contact my OS again. The following day I went back into my OS and told him my leg was in worse pain than my knee and I was almost completely numb and this is when he told me I must have a back problem! At this point in time he had me do this awkward position with my back and asked me if that hurt and when i said "no" (looked perplexed)  then "okay lets send you for an MRI of the knee" (never looking at or addressing my lower leg issues) and I left the room!

The MRI showed fraying and softening of the cartilage under my knee cap and severe edema. I was then given a steroid shot and was told to go back to PT and we will see you in 4 to 6 weeks. At this point in time Im beginning to loose confidence that I will ever find a correct diagnosis and went back to PT. When my therapist saw me he asked what my OS said about my symptoms and the lump and I said he pretty much ignored it.  This is when he had me walk on the tread mill and my leg grew a 1/2 inch within minutes.  He told me to call my OS and when I did I had to speak to his PA who told me and I quote "I hardly believe you have compartment syndrome or nerve problems"  and pretty much thought I was nuts. I went back to my PT and he then called my OS himself and I was finally seen. The funny part of it was my OS at first didnt even bother to come in and check on me, he sent his partner in while he was sitting in his office. When his partner clearly saw I had some major issues going on and I needed surgery, he told me he had to get my OS and low and behold he came into my room immediately. At this point in time he announced I needed nerve decompression surgery and a possible fasciotomy and that I was "quite a mystery to him!" I was thinking to myself if you just would have looked at my leg in the previous appointment you would have saw this then! UGH!

At any rate, I appreciate all your comments and help. It seemed like I was the only one who had this weird chain of events. I actually live in the BUffalo area and I will be having my pressure test done at The University of Buffalo but thanks for the input!

PS.. I also wanted to say and I forgot to add, I can not get full extension either and my knee/leg makes a horrible popping sound that is audible across the room!

Hello. I am getting my test done July 5, apparently not too many places have this equipment and this is the first spot they could get me in.

I also double up on the Aleve but also end up taking 800 mg of Advil two more times a day just so Im not in agony. I know this is probably way too much but they pain is getting  pretty unbearable. At first I would find some relief in the morning after not standing on it but now it is swollen and painful all the time. I do not think anyone who has never had this can appreciate how painful this is. I really feel for you that your CS went on for so long.

Did your OS think the scar tissue from your CS may make your pressure go up again in the future? I am so afraid that this will reoccur after Im treated.

Well yesterday I went in for my Stryker test and within minutes the person doing the test announced that my orthopedic surgeon only ordered pressure measurements for my Anterior and Lateral compartments of my right and left legs because it is rare to have complications in the Deep posterior and Superficial posterior compartments and his hands were tied.

To no real surprise by me, my anterior and lateral compartments in my right leg were abnormally high at rest so I knew right away I needed a fasciotomy without exercise. What did take me by surprise though was my left leg was at the very highest end of normal at rest too. The administrator of this test is recommending I get both legs done (and is writing this in his report to my OS) because he said if my readings are that high at rest (and I havent been doing anything in months, ie. working, etc.) I am bound to have problems with it in the future. I am right now having a hard time accepting this because he said my OS would do both fasciotomies at once, plus the nerve decompression surgery, which involves releasing a ligament my my ankle.  This is a whole lot for me to take in, especially when he told me that it will be at the very least 2 to 3 months of recovery before Im feeling somewhat normal again.

I never heard of seromas, what are they and what does Grayston therapy involve?

Once again thanks for your input and help, I appreciate it!

~ Bridget