Utilization of High Frequency Ultrasound to Diagnose Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome

University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver)

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03736174

18-1297

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to investigate high frequency ultrasound as a future modality for the diagnosis of chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS). The results of the ultrasound will help determine if there are any significant radiologic findings or patterns seen in patients with CECS.

Full description

The purpose of this study is to investigate high frequency ultrasound as a future modality for the diagnosis of chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS). The results of the ultrasound will help determine if there are any significant radiologic findings or patterns seen in patients with CECS. Evaluation of ultrasonographic findings will be dependent on tissue density as measured by hypoechoic versus hyperechoic signal as well as muscle compartment thickness at its largest dimension. A specific aim for this study would be to facilitate future research in order to eliminate the need for painful and invasive diagnostic techniques for CECS.

Enrollment: 20 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 13+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female ages 13 and over
• Patients with any combination of the following symptoms who would otherwise be evaluated for CECS:
• Symptoms of leg pain worsened with activity and relieved by rest
• Pain that is generalized in the anterior or lateral compartments of lower leg
• Numbness or tingling in the distribution of the superficial peroneal nerve
• Sensation of "slap foot" or anterior/lateral compartment weakness
• Able to exercise for CPT testing: Patients will be asked to go through a standardized warm up on a treadmill with increasing speed and incline settings until symptoms are achieved. They will maintain exercise for a minimum of five minutes or to patient tolerance.

Exclusion criteria

• Known vascular disease
• Neurogenic or radicular symptoms

Trial design

20 participants in 2 patient groups

Compartment Pressure Testing

Description:

Patients who present with symptoms of CECS will be consented and tested per protocol with compartment pressure testing. Concurrently, patients will undergo a high frequency ultrasound to observe any patterns in structure to assist future research in noninvasively diagnosing CECS. Evaluation of ultrasonographic findings will be dependent on tissue density as measured by hypoechoic versus hyperechoic signal as well as muscle compartment thickness at its largest dimension.

Control

Description:

Control subjects will undergo exercise protocol and ultrasound, but will not have compartment pressure testing completed.