Orthopedics Sports Injuries Overuse Injuries Forearm Compartment Syndrome Forearm Pain in Rowing and Motocross Athletes By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD LinkedIn Twitter Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 30, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Miho J. Tanaka, MD Medically reviewed by Miho J. Tanaka, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Miho J. Tanaka, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the treatment of sports medicine injuries. 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Learn about our editorial process Print Exertional forearm compartment syndrome is a rare condition that can occur due to repetitive motions that are characteristic of certain sports, most notably rowing and motocross. Hero Images / Getty Images Compartment Syndrome Compartment syndrome occurs when too much pressure builds up around a muscle, limiting the space and circulation to the muscle tissue. It can occur as either an acute injury (a trauma) or an overuse injury, such as due to repetitive motion. Acute compartment syndrome is an uncommon condition that's an emergency and requires urgent surgery. Rapid pressure builds up around the muscle and may cause permanent muscle damage. It can be treated with surgical release of the tissue that surrounds the muscle. Exercise-induced compartment syndrome, also called chronic compartment syndrome, is much more common. Typical exercise-induced compartment syndrome causes gradually worsening pain of the affected muscle that eventually limits exercise and movement. In rowers and motocross riders, the repetitive use of the forearm muscles can lead to this type of compartment syndrome. Chronic forearm compartment syndrome has also been rarely reported in the medical literature in other types of athletes including a kayak paddler, and a softball baseball pitcher. Symptoms of Forearm Compartment Syndrome The common symptoms of forearm compartment syndrome include: Pain in the forearm with activitySwelling/tightness of forearm musclesRelief of discomfort with rest (remove)Numbness and tingling in the forearm and hand Exercise-induced forearm compartment syndrome usually causes very predictable symptoms. This means that most athletes know how long they can participate in their activity, and their symptoms typically resolve quickly with rest. The test used to confirm the diagnosis of compartment syndrome is a measurement of pressure in the muscle during intense exercise activity. Athletes are tested by exercising at high intensity, usually with a rowing machine or tank, until pain occurs. A pressure monitor, which is shaped like a needle, is inserted into the muscle. The pressure measurement is compared to the resting pressure of the muscle to determine if the pressure increase is abnormally high. Other tests such as x-rays, MRI, or nerve conduction tests may be done if needed, depending on the symptoms and physical examination. These tests are almost always normal in patients with exertional compartment syndrome. Treatment of Exertional Compartment Syndrome Most athletes start with simple treatments for their exertional compartment syndrome. In the case of chronic forearm compartment syndrome, the best treatment is to intermittently adjust the grip of the oar or the grip of the motorcycle to periodically change the stress on the forearm muscles. Sometimes increased grip strength is sufficient to allow them to continue participation in their sport. Adjusting grip pressure can also be helpful, although many athletes find it hard, especially during high-intensity activity. When grip adjustments are insufficient, a surgical compartment release can be considered. During the procedure, an incision is made over the muscle, and the fascia (supportive tissue that covers the muscle) is cut. Release of the fascia will provide space for the muscle to expand and swell without pressure building up. A Word From Verywell Exertional forearm compartment syndrome is rarely traumatically induced. Exertional forearm compartment syndrome is an uncommon cause of forearm pain that affects rowers and motocross athletes, but it is not the most common cause of forearm pain—even among these athletes. Sometimes treatment can be effective with modifications of grip during athletics, while other times surgery may be needed. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get exercise tips to make your workouts less work and more fun. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 12 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Smeraglia F, Tamborini F, Garutti L, Minini A, Basso MA, Cherubino M. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm: a systematic review. EFORT Open Reviews. 2021;6(2):101-106. doi: 10.1302%2F2058-5241.6.200107 Guo J, Yin Y, Jin L, Zhang R, Hou Z, Zhang Y. Acute compartment syndrome: Cause, diagnosis, and new viewpoint. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(27):e16260. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000016260 Vajapey S, Miller TL. Evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic exertional compartment syndrome: a review of current literature. The Physician and Sportsmedicine. 2017;45(4):391-398. doi: 10.1080/00913847.2017.1384289 Volcke P, Kirby JH, Viviers PL, Viljoen JT. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome in the forearm of a rower. SA J Sports Med. 2014;26(2):62-63. doi: 10.1007/s11552-013-9543-4 Cole A, Hiatt JL, Arnold C, Sites T, Ylanon R. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome in the forearm of a collegiate softball pitcher. Sports Med - Open. 2017;3(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s40798-017-0080-5 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Compartment Syndrdome. Merle G, Comeau-Gauthier M, Tayari V, et al. Comparison of three devices to measure pressure for acute compartment syndrome.Military Medicine. 2020;185(Supplement_1):77-81. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usz305 Wuarin L, Gonzalez AI, Zingg M, et al. Clinical and radiographic predictors of acute compartment syndrome in the treatment of tibial shaft fractures: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2020;21(1):25. doi: 10.1186/s12891-020-3044-8 Rattan B, Misser SK. Magnetic resonance imaging in exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm: Case-based pictorial review and approach to management.South African Journal of Radiology. 2018;22(1). doi: 10.4102/sajr.v22i1.1284 Merle G, Harvey EJ. Pathophysiology of compartment syndrome. In: Mauffrey C, Hak DJ, Martin III MP, eds. Compartment Syndrome. Springer International Publishing; 2019:17-24. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-22331-1_3 O’Dowd DP, Romer H, Hughes R, et al. Forearm compartment pressures and grip strength in elite motorbike racers with chronic exertional compartment syndrome. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2021;16(1):603. doi: 10.1186/s13018-021-02765-z Long B, Koyfman A, Gottlieb M. Evaluation and management of acute compartment syndrome in the emergency department. The Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2019;56(4):386-397. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2018.12.021 Additional Reading Brown JS, Wheeler PC, Boyd KT, Barnes MR, Allen MJ. "Chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm: a case series of 12 patients treated with fasciotomy" J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2011 Jun;36(5):413-9.