Anterior Leg Case Study

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When my teammate was kicked in the shin, the anterior compartment of her leg was affected. From the description of her symptoms, this injury is not merely a bad cramp, but a more serious issue. She is described as having anterior swelling, lack of feeling between her first and second toes, and the inability to dorsiflex her toes and foot. The most likely cause of these symptoms is acute compartment syndrome of the anterior leg. At this stage, we should apply ice to her injury, forfeit the game, and head to the hospital. Acute compartment syndrome occurs when there is bleeding in a closed muscle compartment surrounded by fascia and bone, often caused by blunt force trauma (Physiopedia Contributors). The bleeding increases the pressure inside …show more content…

The common fibular nerve is a branch off of the sciatic nerve, which originates from L4 and L5. The deep fibular nerve has motor and sensory functions. The motor functions include the innervation of the anterior leg. It also supplies sensory function for the region between the first and second toes (“The Deep…”). My teammate’s lack of feeling to that region indicates loss of sensory function for the deep fibular nerve.
The inability of my teammate to dorsiflex her foot and toes also indicates damage to the motor function of the deep fibular nerve, which innervates the muscles responsible for those actions. The anterior leg contains tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, and fibularis tertius. They all help with dorsiflexion of the ankle. Extensor hallucis longus extends the big toe, and extensor digitorum longus extends the lateral four digits. (Agur et all, 359).
Although applying ice to her leg could help, it is important to seek actual medical help. The longer swelling lasts, and the more intense it becomes, the more damage is possible to the nerves and muscles, up to and including paralysis. The most effective treatment is called a fasciotomy. It involves making an incision to open the skin and fascia of the leg, until the pressure from swelling is

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