Compartment Syndrome

It’s amazing how quickly you get comfortable with a theory. After the Whistler World Cups both Kris and I were convinced that he had Compartment Syndrome. Subsequent visits and conversations with really excellent PTs indicated that is was not, in fact, CS, and that it was some sort of inflammation. This was a little bit hard to get accustomed to at first, but we both got pretty comfortable with that understanding of things. However, Kris went ahead and scheduled a pressure test with the Doc who performed his original CS surgery eight years ago, mostly because it was local and easy to do.

It was quite a surprise this morning when he failed the pressure test decisively. It’s worth noting that this pressure test was conducted on snow, while he was skiing, using the same tester that was used on him eight years ago. It’s entirely plausible that he wouldn’t show signs of CS with a running test on a treadmill. His condition is exacerbated by skiing, and particularly by skating. Running doesn’t do it. So, whether or not he has a “classic” case of CS, he’s measuring pressure values as high as he had prior to his first surgery. And that’s after 20 minutes of skating in which he felt pretty good - nowhere near the kind of suffering her experienced in Whistler.

There are many questions to be answered. Kris is currently in his second doctors appointment of the day, with a vascular specialist. More information will follow. However, the plan for the near future remains very much the same. Ski Craftsbury this weekend. Travel to Europe. Race in Italy and at World Championships. After that it’s all up in the air. Many decisions to be made.

Compartment Syndrome

Kris Freeman

Fri, Jan 30, 2009 - By Zach Caldwell