Introduction. Prospective study based on professional sportsmen who affected from Chronicle Compartmental Syndrome in forearm and its treatment.

Material and methods. 32 Chronicle Compartmental Syndrome in forearm were studied in 24 patients. Our selection was composed by 16 men and 8 women. In 8 of our cases both forearms were operated. The age range was from 17 to 33 years of age. Their sportive activity included: 20 professional motorcyclists, 2 wind-surfers and 2 mountainbikers.

To demonstrate evidence of Chronicle Compartmental Syndrome we performed a diagnostic test based on the measure of the intracompartmental pressure after stimulating their usual sportive activity. We considered a positive test when the measured an IMP> 15 mmHg after effort. We also performed a dynamometric of their grip and strength of the thumb-index forceps before and after surgery.

Results. All 24 patients presented clinical and tests compatible with Chronicle Compartmental Syndrome in forearm during effort activities which reached severe range due to loss of sensibility and propioception.

- From 15 to 20 mmHg of IMP after effort, 8 cases.

Minimal invasive surgery based on fasciotomy was performed to release compartmental pressure in flexor and extensor compartments of the forearm.

Conclusions. We can conclude that after fasciotomy most of our patients improve either clinically and diagnostic tests results, without strength loss, and are able to return to their usual activity completely recovered in a short period of time

Introduction. Prospective comparative study to evaluate the efficacy of the ultrasound diagnosis vs MRI in rupture of the Triangular fibrocartilage with arthroscopic confirmation.

Material and methods. 55 patients presenting clinical wrist pain were studied from January’2004 untill september 2006. Our patient selection was composed by 30 men and 25 women, and the age range was 17 to 70 years old. 40 were Right-handed and 15 Left-Handed. Patients presented wrist pain related to several disorders. Our protocol included Sonography with a 11–MHz linear array probe using real-time compound spatial imaging and 1T-MRI studies. Wrist arthroscopy was performed in all of them.

Results. 67 % of our patients presented Triangular fibrocartilage rupture at arthroscopy. The distribution of our patients related to the complementary tests was:

- Arthroscopy (+) 37 cases out of 50 (64%)

According to this results we can easily calculate the sensibility/specificity and PPV/PNV of both tests:

- Ultrasound Sensibility/Specificity: 58,3 %/36,8 %

Conclusions. Due to the results we obtained in our study, we can consider ultrasound as sensible and specific as MRI at diagnosis for the rupture of the Triangular fibrocartilage. In our opinion we conclude that neither MRI nor ultrasound results should be considered satisfactory for a proper diagnosis. This could be sorted out by the use of more resolutive MRI and ultrasound equipments.

Purpose: Objective, prospective study of professional athletes with chronic forearm compartment syndrome and treatment.

Materials and methods: We studied 18 cases of chronic compartment syndrome in 12 patients. The sample consisted of 12 men in an age range of 17 to 33. Both forearms were involved in six cases. Sixteen patients were motorcyclists and two were windsurfers. The clinical picture was compatible with chronic compartment syndrome. For confirmation the compartment pressure was measured after simulating each person’s activity. The test was considered positive when the pressure measured 15′ after exercise was > 15 mmHg.

Results: The 12 patients presented clinical pictures and compartment pressure test results compatible with severe chronic compartment syndrome of the forearm with loss of sensitivity and proprioception. We found compartment pressures of 15–20 mmHg 15′ after exercise in two cases, 20–30 mmHg in six cases and > 30 mmHg in ten. The flexor and extensor compartments of the forearm were released by minimally invasive surgery.

Conclusions: We can conclude that fasciotomy was followed by clinical improvement with no evidence of loss of strength, and the athlete was able to play again within a short time.