The value of sonography in assessing intracompartmental pressure in the anterior tibial compartment

: Fifty recreational athletes were subjected to a defined exercise programme (running on a treadmill, 8 km/h). The pressure in the middle third of the anterolateral compartment was measured. We also assessed the geometry and the echogenicity in the transversal and the longitudinal plane by sonographic means. The increase of the intracompartmental pressure increased as the ap-diameter of the compartment in the transverse plane increased (distance = superficial fascia - interosseous membrane). We found a correlation factor of 0.79. The echogenicity increased as the intracompartmental pressure increased. The changing ultrasound reflex pattern is considered non-reproducible because there are too many artifacts, nor is the increase in the ap-diameter due to the low correlation.