Needle manometry can be used to confirm diagnosis of CECS by measuring intracompartmental pressure. Evaluation of CECS must include a thorough history and physical exam to rule out other causes of exertional leg pain, but differential diagnosis must remain high on the list.
Although early outcome research on CECS has been based mostly on adult male patients, there has been an increase in the number of studies in pediatric and adolescent patient populations, particularly in females. Upper-extremity CECS is most commonly seen in rowers and professional motorcyclists. Lower-extremity CECS is most often observed in running athletes and marching military members. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is an underdiagnosed condition that causes lower and upper extremity pain in certain at-risk populations.
