Ischemic Necrosis of the Anterior Tibial Compartment Musculature

Abstract

Ischemic necrosis of the muscles of the anterior tibial compartment of the leg occurs only infrequently, but when it does occur permanent impairment of the function of the involved extremity will probably follow. Since this is incapacitating for athletes, soldiers, and many laborers, it is necessary that the surgeon be qualified to make a prompt diagnosis and be prepared to give immediate treatment. Moretz, in 1953, reported 4 cases of this syndrome which he added to 27 previously reported ones, for a total of 31 reported in English literature up to that time.¹ Some other cases have been reported since, but it is believed that the condition is commoner than this small number indicates. Either a large number are going unrecognized early, or the physician is not seeing the patient until late in the course of the disease, at which time he is including this syndrome with his diagnoses