Compartment syndrome is an acute medical problem following injury, surgery or in most cases repetitive and extensive muscle use, in which increased pressure (usually caused by inflammation) within a confined space (fascial compartment) in the body impairs blood supply. -Wikapedia.org
I have been dealing with these symptoms in the anterior tibialis compartments of my lower legs. It has quite severely affected my skating this year and has been an issue I have been trying to combat for several seasons now. Originally I thought I just needed to change my technique and that would fix the problem. That has not been the case. I can ski easy without negative affects, and even threshold skating is manageable, but as soon as I begin to build lactate it becomes nearly impossible for me to flush without slowing down significantly.
Massage, acupuncture and a fascia manipulation technique called ASTYM have all helped me to relieve my symptoms. I was even in a place this fall, before I was on snow, where I thought I was on top of the problem. I wanted to do everything possible to keep from having surgery. I did not want to risk losing valuable training time going into the Olympic year (especially, when my main shot at an Olympic spot is in the classic technique). Now after trying the first few skate races of the season I know that skate racing to my full potential without undergoing surgery is not likely. In fact, skating is just hindering my ability to classic race- not physically, but psychologically.
Now all of my eggs are in the classic basket. I do believe I still have a good shot to compete at the highest level in classic sprinting this year. I just have to find my form. Now, I am in Silver Star BC sitting out the skate races trying to get quick for two classic sprint drag races in Canmore AB in a week and a half. Will I be able to put it together? Sometimes I have to get beat up before I come through when it counts.
