Location
Philadelphia, PA
Start Date
11-5-2022 1:00 PM
End Date
11-5-2022 4:00 PM
Description
Introduction: Compartment syndrome is a well known phenomenon that is most commonly reported in the extremities. However, paralumbar compartment syndrome is rarely described in available literature. The authors present a case of paralumbar compartment syndrome after high intensity deadlifting.
Methods: The patient is a 53 year old male who was diagnosed with paralumbar compartment syndrome one day after performing high intensity deadlifting and subsequently treated emergently with fasciotomies. The patient’s medical records were thoroughly reviewed at the presenting institution. A complete review of the current literature regarding ‘paralumbar’ or ‘paraspinal’ compartment syndrome was also performed.
Results: The patient’s paralumbar compartment syndrome was treated in two stages. The first stage included bilateral paramedian faciotomies with debridement, tissue expander, and wound vac application. The second stage included additional debridement with wound closure. The patient followed up twice within six weeks following wound closure. Post-operatively, the patient’s pain improved significantly and he was able to return to all activities of daily living and work. Despite a small seroma which was aspirated in the office per the patient’s request, the patient’s post-operative course was uncomplicated. To date, the patient has had no need to follow up.
Discussion/Conclusion: Given the paucity of literature on paralumbar compartment syndrome, the authors’ goal is to promote awareness of the diagnosis, as it should be included in the differential diagnosis of intractable back pain. The current literature suggests that operative cases of paralumbar compartment syndromes have a higher rate of return to pre-operative function compared to those treated non-operatively and this case report further supports this notion. The authors recommend further study into this phenomenon, as it could be a missed diagnosis with detrimental outcomes for patients.
Embargo Period
6-1-2022
Included in
Paralumbar compartment syndrome, a rare sequela of deadlifting
Philadelphia, PA
Introduction: Compartment syndrome is a well known phenomenon that is most commonly reported in the extremities. However, paralumbar compartment syndrome is rarely described in available literature. The authors present a case of paralumbar compartment syndrome after high intensity deadlifting.
Methods: The patient is a 53 year old male who was diagnosed with paralumbar compartment syndrome one day after performing high intensity deadlifting and subsequently treated emergently with fasciotomies. The patient’s medical records were thoroughly reviewed at the presenting institution. A complete review of the current literature regarding ‘paralumbar’ or ‘paraspinal’ compartment syndrome was also performed.
Results: The patient’s paralumbar compartment syndrome was treated in two stages. The first stage included bilateral paramedian faciotomies with debridement, tissue expander, and wound vac application. The second stage included additional debridement with wound closure. The patient followed up twice within six weeks following wound closure. Post-operatively, the patient’s pain improved significantly and he was able to return to all activities of daily living and work. Despite a small seroma which was aspirated in the office per the patient’s request, the patient’s post-operative course was uncomplicated. To date, the patient has had no need to follow up.
Discussion/Conclusion: Given the paucity of literature on paralumbar compartment syndrome, the authors’ goal is to promote awareness of the diagnosis, as it should be included in the differential diagnosis of intractable back pain. The current literature suggests that operative cases of paralumbar compartment syndromes have a higher rate of return to pre-operative function compared to those treated non-operatively and this case report further supports this notion. The authors recommend further study into this phenomenon, as it could be a missed diagnosis with detrimental outcomes for patients.