This is a test used to diagnose people with ‘Compartment Syndrome’ in the leg, which is just one of the causes of Shin Splints (Exertional leg pain).
In this condition it is believed that tight fascial compartments in the leg become swollen when running. The pressure rises leading to a restriction of blood flow. A pressure above 30mmHg is considered strong evidence for the condition.
Recent research and experience in the Army suggests that this condition is often over-diagnosed, as the symptoms can often be attributed to biomechanical overload of the leg muscles and rehabilitated without surgery quite succesfully.
The test
During this test a needle connected to a pressure manometer is inserted into the muscle compartment in question. The patient is then asked to run on a treadmill until the symptoms appear. The pressure is then measured ‘live’.
If positive a surgeon will perform an operation called a ‘fasciotomy’ to lay open the tight compartment.