If you have a feeling of ‘numbness, weakness or pins and needles’ the NHS that you may need to seek help – and fast. The health service explains that this is a symptom that could mean you have compartment syndrome.
The website explains: “Compartment syndrome is an increase in pressure inside a muscle, which restricts blood flow and causes pain. If it happens suddenly, it can be serious and need treatment as soon as possible.”
What are the signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome?
You can get compartment syndrome in any muscle, but it most often affects the muscles in the lower legs and forearms. Symptoms include:
- pain in a muscle – this may feel like a burning pain or a deep ache (moving the body part can make the pain even worse)
- swelling or bulging of the muscle
- numbness, weakness or pins and needles
- tightness or difficulty moving the affected body part
Symptoms may appear suddenly, often following an injury or due to a tightly applied bandage or plaster cast. This is known as acute compartment syndrome. Alternatively, symptoms can develop gradually after exercise and subside with rest, which is referred to as chronic compartment syndrome.
You should visit your GP if you keep getting pain, numbness, swelling, or have difficulty moving a part of your body when you exercise, the NHS further warns. A GP can help find out if the pain is caused by compartment syndrome or another condition.
NHS warns call 999 or go to A&E
You should call 99 or visit the emergency department if you have sudden, severe pain in any part of your body. If compartment syndrome is causing the pain, you’ll need surgery to treat it as soon as possible.
How to tell if I have compartment syndrome?
If the GP thinks you may have compartment syndrome, you may be referred to a specialist for tests. You can tell if you have this syndrome by having tests which include:
- an X-ray to check if you’ve broken a bone
- MRI scans while you’re resting and while you’re exercising
- compartment pressure measurement – a needle connected to a pressure monitoring device is inserted into your muscle before and after exercise to measure the pressure inside it
Measuring muscle pressure is typically recommended only if your symptoms and other test results indicate the possibility of compartment syndrome, they conclude.