Abnormally pumped right forearm, compartment syndrome??

This has happened to me the last 2 gym climb sessions. I warmed up on 3 climbs below my limit before climbing the 4th climb at my max. When lowering I felt my right forearm abnormally pumped. My left forearm felt normal after a few minutes of rest, but my right was very swollen the rest of the time at the gym. There is no reason it should be this swollen and sore immediately unless something is wrong. I was afraid to stretch my forearm flexors after lowering because the muscle is so tight that it feels as though it would tear. The right was then noticeably swollen compared to the left.

I went on to climb several more routes, but not very successful on difficult climbs because my right arm would be immediately pumped after about 3 moves. I know it's more than a flash pump because it shouldn't feel this bad this early in the day.

It's been an hour since I returned from the gym. I'm currently icing it. The forearm has reduced in swelling, and it not rock hard anymore. It still feels sore, but that's normal after a hard day of climbing. I'm just concerned how fast, and how swollen my right forearm became. I've heard of compartment syndrome, does anyone have an experience? Do these sound like the symptoms, or simply an over use injury?

Thanks,

Um, no you do not have compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is where pressure in a fascial compartment overcomes venous, and later arterial pressure, usually from swelling related to a bone fracture or other large trauma. The limb would be grey and pulseless, exceptionally painful, and then die within a few hours.

you do not have compartment syndrome

Have you had any recent injury? How long ago was your last big climbing day?

Well, that's really good news. I guess I have med student syndrome thinking I have problems when I read the symptoms.

I never read anywhere that it would be grey and pulseless. I was under the impression that it's only diagnoses if a doctor inserts a needle into the muscle and actually uses it to measure pressure.

Paul, I believe you are a doctor so I'll trust you on this.

However, I believe the OP is talking about chronic exertional compartment syndrome.

Tony B has made mention of having it. Maybe he'll chime in.

From my understanding it's nothing as serious as real (trauma caused) compartment syndrome but it'll make climbing suck. Maybe enough to quit.

I've seen some things online about runners calves and motorcross rider forearms with the chronic type. It stands to reason that it could happen rock climbing. Even more likely it seems would be ice climbing.

I tweaked a finger tendon back in October, but have been back climbing at 100%. I recently finished a round of serious training regime with the Rock Prodigy system. I should be on the power/endurance stage. I'm thinking all that campusing is not friendly to my arms.

Not a doctor (soon). Perhaps that is true, I am not familiar with chronic exertional compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is something I deal with regularly in my field (emergency medicine). It is not subtle. Perhaps chronic exertional compartment syndrome exists, I had not heard of it.

Quit masturbating exclusively with your right hand, man. And for the love of god, quit squeezing so hard. That's your problem.

Andy, if I were you, I'd look at the super obvious culprits first.

Hydration, electrolyte balance, hangover percentage, nutrition, etc. I have my own issues but I'll certainly get so pumped in the warmup that I'm useless all day on occasion. It'll happen. I'd only worry if it happens every single time.

This sounds like the legendary "pulled muscle." You probably pulled it the first time, then didn't let it rest/heal enough before over-exerting yourself again. Even the excercise induced chronic compartment syndrome seems to be in endurance athletes and mostly the lower extremities.
I would always have a similar experience when I started gym climbing after taking some time off then getting back in the gym. I was fatter than I wanted to admit so I just made sure to warm up slower and longer than I wanted to.
SDY may have a point though, throwing a little stranger action in there may give that arm a rest.

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con…

Compartment syndrome in climber forearms is very rare. Possible, but unlikely.

Paul-B wrote:Um, no you do not have compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is where pressure in a fascial compartment overcomes venous, and later arterial pressure, usually from swelling related to a bone fracture or other large trauma. The limb would be grey and pulseless, exceptionally painful, and then die within a few hours. you do not have compartment syndrome

The presence of a pulse in no way excludes compartment syndrome. I'm not saying he has it, I don't know what he has. Just saying you are not done working up compartment syndrome if the patient has a pulse.

Optimistic wrote: The presence of a pulse in no way excludes compartment syndrome. I'm not saying he has it, I don't know what he has. Just saying you are not done working up compartment syndrome if the patient has a pulse.

Unhuh, nobody said that, But thanks for pointing that out.

Paul-B wrote:The limb would be grey and pulseless

Mark E Dixon wrote:

One of the symptoms of compartment syndrome is pulselessness (look up the 6 p's). This is a late sign. Just as with any medical condition you do not display all symptoms immediately. No one said that in the work up for compartment syndrome if the limb has a pulse you do not have to be concerned about compartment syndrome.

What was said is that these symptoms have been going on for 2 gym climb sessions, presumably over several days. Compartment syndrome is aggressive, it will kill a limb in hours, not days, so in this instance, if this partcular person had compartment syndrome, this limb would be pulseless.

Mountain Project....geez

Paul-B wrote:Not a doctor (soon). Perhaps that is true, I am not familiar with chronic exertional compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is something I deal with regularly in my field (emergency medicine). It is not subtle.

Many things can be subtle.

If you are not a doctor yet, just how many cases of compartment syndrome have you actually diagnosed and managed?

Based on most of your posts you seem like a good guy. But unequivocally diagnosing somebody unseen over the internet might not be doing them a favor.

Mark E Dixon wrote: Many things can be subtle. If you are not a doctor yet, just how many cases of compartment syndrome have you actually diagnosed and managed? Based on most of your posts you seem like a good guy. But unequivocally diagnosing somebody unseen over the internet might not be doing them a favor.

Wow. I have seen many cases of compartment syndrome, i have "managed" none, as I am not a surgeon- the only fix is emergency fasciotomy.

I unequivocally diagnose him with not compartment syndrome. It is ridiculous. Many things can be subtle? Compartment syndrome is not subtle. The fact that I am even having a discussion that some guy who's arm got pumped after climbing a couple times has compartment syndrome is hilarious.

I believe this guy has a real problem, it might even be chronic exertional compartment syndrome, but it is not compartment syndrome. There is a multitude of reasons why compartment syndrome is not a possibility. It seems that this kid is also a medical student, and I encourage him to read up on the topic. I have no more interest in discussing this with the masses of MP users that will argue with anything.

Paul-B wrote: Unhuh, nobody said that, But thanks for pointing that out.

An old expression just popped into my mind, can't imagine why : "don't get sick in July."

Optimistic wrote: An old expression just popped into my mind, can't imagine why : "don't get sick in July."

Haha, Touche optimistic. Touche.

Nurse, PA, Doctor?

Paul-B wrote: Haha, Touche optimistic. Touche. Nurse, PA, Doctor?

Definitely one of those.

I just think, as Mark said, that it's important to be really circumspect when you're not able to examine the patient. Also, I try always to keep in mind that while of course you've got to make decisions and act on them, it's essential to stay open to that little voice trying to tell you that your understanding of the patient is wrong.