The National Health Service (NHS) has issued an important advisory for individuals experiencing muscle pain, urging them to seek immediate medical attention if needed. Health experts express concern over cases where individuals describe their discomfort as a “burning pain” or “deep ache.”

Furthermore, the NHS highlights that moving the affected body part could potentially exacerbate the pain. They caution that such symptoms, particularly if accompanied by other alarming signs, could indicate a condition known as compartment syndrome.

Compartment syndrome, the NHS explains, occurs when there is increased pressure within a muscle compartment, which can restrict blood flow and result in significant pain. This condition can arise suddenly and may require urgent medical intervention.

Symptoms of compartment syndrome

While compartment syndrome can affect any muscle, it predominantly occurs in the lower legs and forearms.

Symptoms may manifest “suddenly,” especially following an injury, or if a bandage or plaster cast is applied too tightly. The NHS refers to this sudden onset as “acute compartment syndrome.”

• pain in a muscle – this may feel like a burning pain or a deep ache (moving the body part can make the pain even worse)
• swelling or bulging of the muscle
• numbness, weakness or pins and needles
• tightness or difficulty moving the affected body part

Do I need treatment?

The symptoms may appear “suddenly”, which can happen if you have had an injury or if a bandage or plaster cast is too tight. If this is the case, the NHS refers to this as “acute compartment syndrome.”

It can also develop gradually after exercising and subside when you rest. This is called chronic compartment syndrome. You should call 999 if “you have sudden, severe pain in any part of your body”, the NHS stressed. This is because “if compartment syndrome is causing the pain, you’ll need surgery to treat it as soon as possible.”

You don’t need to call 999 if “you keep getting pain, numbness, swelling, or have difficulty moving a part of your body when you exercise. A GP can help find out if the pain is caused by compartment syndrome or another condition”, the NHS advised.

Sudden (acute) compartment syndrome

If compartment syndrome develops suddenly, urgent surgery is required to relieve the pressure inside the affected muscle compartment. The procedure, called a fasciotomy, involves the surgeon making cuts in the tissue surrounding the muscle to release the pressure.

In some cases, a skin graft may be needed, where skin is taken from another part of the body to cover the wound. After surgery, you’ll be given medication to help manage pain, and you may need physiotherapy to restore full movement in the affected area.

Gradual (chronic) compartment syndrome

Gradual or chronic compartment syndrome often doesn’t require surgery. But to help ease symptoms, you can:

• avoid or modify the activity that triggers them such as switching to low-impact exercise like cycling

• use anti-inflammatory painkillers to reduce discomfort

• attend physiotherapy

• use shoe inserts (orthotics) if you return to running

If your symptoms persist despite these changes, surgery may be considered, using a technique similar to the procedure for acute compartment syndrome. Talk to your GP about your concerns and keep note of your symptoms and when they happen, and first started.

NHS pain scale

Severe pain

• always there and so bad it’s hard to think or talk
• you cannot sleep
• it’s very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress

Moderate pain

• always there
• makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
• you can manage to get up, wash or dress

Mild pain

• comes and goes
• is annoying but does not stop you doing daily activities

Tests for compartment syndrome

If you speak to your GP and they think you may have compartment syndrome, you may be referred to a specialist for tests.

Tests you may have include:

• an X-ray to check if you’ve broken a bone
• MRI scans while you’re resting and while you’re exercising
• compartment pressure measurement – a needle connected to a pressure monitoring device is inserted into your muscle before and after exercise to measure the pressure inside it. This is usually only recommended if your symptoms and other test results suggest compartment syndrome