Consultation and clinical examination
The assessment begins with a detailed account of how your symptoms develop, followed by a clinical and functional examination.
An ultrasound examination may be useful as an additional assessment.
Information before the measurement
As an invasive test, the measurement can cause temporary local discomfort or bruising; we discuss other individual questions and possible risks before the examination.
Exercise and pressure measurement
Depending on the diagnostic question, pressure is then measured in the affected muscle compartments at rest and after exercise intended to reproduce your usual symptoms as closely as possible.
Allow approximately two to three hours in total. The duration depends on when your symptoms occur during exercise.
What do the measurements tell us?
The measurements are interpreted alongside your symptoms, examination findings and any available imaging.
Even a careful examination cannot always establish every cause immediately. Compartment pressure testing is therefore one part of the diagnostic assessment, rather than a stand-alone test that proves or excludes every possible cause of lower-leg pain.