Signs & symptoms include severe pain, inflammation, fever, depression, anorexia and vesicle or pustule development with foul smelling discharge. There is risk for and the development of cellulitis or myolitis if the bacteria spreads. Diagnosis is through bacterial culture while treatment is antibiotics, symptomatic care and surgery to remove the necrotic tissue. fascia is named compartment syndrome. Recall that fascia surrounds muscle fibres, compartmentalizing them into fascicles as well as surrounding individual muscle bellies and entire muscle groups. If there is an increase in volume (due to swelling/pressure) within that fascial ‘casing’, the muscle has nowhere to expand into resulting in decreased blood flow to the muscle and eventually compression ischemia of the muscle within the fascial compartment. Compartment Syndrome Muscle degeneration caused by
Severe trauma or prolonged compression can lead to compartment syndrome. A chronic form of the condition exists where extreme pressure builds up in the muscles during .
Horses that are recumbent for prolonged periods of time are predisposed, especially those in surgery under anaesthesia. Tightly wrapped bandages can also lead to compartment syndrome.
Bleeding or edema leads to an increase in within the compartment formed by the fascia surrounding the muscle group. As the pressure compresses the muscle fibres blood supply within the muscle begins to slow and eventually stop resulting in ischemia. This leads to muscle necrosis and degeneration. Signs & symptoms include swelling, pain on palpation, partial or complete loss of function, gait abnormalities or lameness, decreased skin sensation, area feels cool to the touch, increased upon palpation, recumbency due to muscle weakness & fatigue, increase in temperature, respiration and heart rate as well as sweating and anxiety.
Diagnosis is through case history, signs & symptoms and ultrasound to see the fascial restrictions and muscle degeneration.
Treatment includes massage, hot hydrotherapy to increase blood flow, NSAIDs, DMSO, IV fluids and possible , surgery to release the fascial restriction.
Prognosis is good in mild cases but guarded in severe cases as there may be permanent muscle damage.
Prevention includes proper padding during surgery and deep bedding for horses in prolonged recumbency. Proper bandaging techniques when wrapping a horse’s leg is essential.
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