In 2001 I had a fasciotomy on my lower leg due to compartment syndrome. The surgery was successful and I was able to exercise pain free for the last 5 years. In the last 6 mos to a year the leg has ballooned in size (the calf and the shin both) to almost the size of my thigh. It's double the size of my other leg. The ortho who did the surgery retired, and a woman from his office referred me to a doctor who DOES NOT EVEN DEAL WITH COMPARTMENT SYNDROME!! I guess that's what you get in a small state like Vermont. Does anyone know if this treatable??

It sounds like you may have started out with a condition called acute compartment syndrome (ACS). Injury leading to painful swelling inside the lower leg puts pressure on the nerves and blood vessels. Without surgical release called a fasciotomy there can be serious consequences.

Acute compartment syndrome is not uncommon. What is more rare is the formation of a bridge of bone between the two lower leg bones. This extra piece of bone is called a synostosis.

A recent study of female military recruits showed that women are at greater risk than men for overuse injuries during basic training. Out of 824 women studied, there were 868 lower extremity injuries. These included both stress fractures and other overuse injuries.