The Stanford Hall consensus statement for post-COVID-19 rehabilitation.

The highly infectious and pathogenic novel coronavirus (CoV), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2, has emerged causing a global pandemic. Although COVID-19 predominantly affects the respiratory system, evidence indicates a multisystem disease which is frequently severe and often results in death. Long-term sequelae of COVID-19 are unknown, but evidence from previous CoV outbreaks demonstrates impaired pulmonary and physical function, reduced quality of life and emotional distress. Many COVID-19 survivors who require critical care may develop psychological, physical and cognitive impairments. There is a clear need for guidance on the rehabilitation of COVID-19 survivors. This consensus statement was developed by an expert panel in the fields of rehabilitation, sport and exercise medicine (SEM), rheumatology, psychiatry, general practice, psychology and specialist pain, working at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Stanford Hall, UK. Seven teams appraised evidence for the following domains relating to COVID-19 rehabilitation requirements: pulmonary, cardiac, SEM, psychological, musculoskeletal, neurorehabilitation and general medical. A chair combined recommendations generated within teams. A writing committee prepared the consensus statement in accordance with the appraisal of guidelines research and evaluation criteria, grading all recommendations with levels of evidence. Authors scored their level of agreement with each recommendation on a scale of 0-10. Substantial agreement (range 7.5-10) was reached for 36 recommendations following a chaired agreement meeting that was attended by all authors. This consensus statement provides an overarching framework assimilating evidence and likely requirements of multidisciplinary rehabilitation post COVID-19 illness, for a target population of active individuals, including military personnel and athletes.

Effects of anterior compartment fasciotomy on intramuscular compartment pressure in patients with chronic exertional compartment syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) have pain during exercise that usually subsides at rest. Diagnosis is usually confirmed by measurement of intramuscular compartment pressure (IMCP) following exclusion of other possible causes. Management usually requires fasciotomy but reported outcomes vary widely. There is little evidence of the effectiveness of fasciotomy on IMCP. Testing is rarely repeated postoperatively and reported follow-up is poor. Improved diagnostic criteria based on preselection and IMCP levels during dynamic exercise testing have recently been reported. OBJECTIVES: (1) To compare IMCP in three groups, one with classical symptoms and no treatment and the other with symptoms of CECS who have been treated with fasciotomy and an asymptomatic control group. (2) Establish if differences in IMCP in these groups as a result of fasciotomy relate to functional and symptomatic improvement. METHODS: Twenty subjects with symptoms of CECS of the anterior compartment, 20 asymptomatic controls and 20 patients who had undergone fasciotomy for CECS were compared. All other possible diagnoses were excluded using rigorous inclusion criteria and MRI. Dynamic IMCP was measured using an electronic catheter wire before, during and after participants exercised on a treadmill during a standardised 15 min exercise challenge. Statistical analysis included t-tests and analysis of variance. RESULTS: Fasciotomy results in reduced IMCP at all time points during a standardised exercise protocol compared with preoperative cases. In subjects responding to fasciotomy, there is a significant reduction in IMCP below that of preoperative groups (P<0.001). Postoperative responders to fasciotomy have no significant differences in IMCP from asymptomatic controls (P=0.182). CONCLUSION: Fasciotomy reduces IMCP in all patients. Larger studies are required to confirm that the reduction in IMCP accounts for differences in functional outcomes and pain reductions seen in postoperative patients with CECS.

Biomechanical differences between cases with suspected chronic exertional compartment syndrome and asymptomatic controls during running.

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) has been hypothesised, following clinical observations, to be the result of abnormal biomechanics predominantly at the ankle. Treatment of CECS through running re-education to correct these abnormalities has been reported to improve symptoms. However no primary research has been carried out to investigate the movement patterns of those with CECS. This study aimed to compare the running kinematics and muscle activity of cases with CECS and asymptomatic controls. 20 men with bilateral symptoms of CECS of the anterior compartment and 20 asymptomatic controls participated. Barefoot and shod running 3D kinematics and muscle activity of the left and right legs; and anthropometry were compared. Cases displayed less anterior trunk lean and less anterior pelvic tilt throughout the whole gait cycle and a more upright shank inclination angle during late swing (peak mean difference 3.5°, 4.1° and 7.3° respectively). Cases demonstrated greater step length and stance time, although this was not consistent across analyses. There were no consistent differences in Tibialis anterior or Gastrocnemius medialis muscle activity. Cases were heavier (mean difference 7.9kg, p=0.02) than controls with no differences in height (p>0.05) These differences only partially match the clinical observations previously described. However, no consistent differences were found at the ankle joint suggesting that current running re-education interventions which focus on adjusting ankle kinematics are not modifying pathological aspects of gait. The longer step length is a continuing theme in this population and as such may be a key component in the development of CECS.

Biomechanical differences between cases with chronic exertional compartment syndrome and asymptomatic controls during walking and marching gait.

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome is a significant problem in military populations that may be caused by specific military activities. This study aimed to investigate the kinematic and kinetic differences in military cases with chronic exertional compartment syndrome and asymptomatic controls. 20 males with symptoms of chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the anterior compartment and 20 asymptomatic controls were studied. Three-dimensional lower limb kinematics and kinetics were compared during walking and marching. Cases were significantly shorter in stature and took a relatively longer stride in relation to leg length than controls. All kinematic differences identified were at the ankle. Cases demonstrated increased ankle plantarflexion from mid-stance to toe-off. Cases also demonstrated less ankle inversion at the end of stance and early swing phases. Lower ankle inversion moments were observed during mid-stance. The anthropometric and biomechanical differences demonstrated provide a plausible mechanism for the development of chronic exertional compartment syndrome in this population. The shorter stature in combination with the relatively longer stride length observed in cases may result in an increased demand on the anterior compartment musculature during ambulation. The results of this study, together with clinical insights and the literature suggest that the suppression of the walk-to-run stimulus during group marches may play a significant role in the development of chronic exertional compartment syndrome within a military population. The differences in joint angles and moments also suggest an impairment of the muscular control of ankle joint function, such as a reduced effectiveness of tibialis anterior. It is unclear whether this is a cause or consequence of chronic exertional compartment syndrome.

Intramuscular compartment pressure measurement in chronic exertional compartment syndrome: new and improved diagnostic criteria.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) have pain during exercise that subsides with rest. Diagnosis is usually confirmed by intramuscular compartment pressure (IMCP) measurement. Controversy exists regarding the accuracy of existing diagnostic criteria. PURPOSE: (1) To compare dynamic IMCP measurement and anthropometric factors between patients with CECS and asymptomatic controls and (2) to establish the diagnostic utility of dynamic IMCP measurement. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: A total of 40 men aged 21 to 40 years were included in the study: 20 with symptoms of CECS of the anterior compartment and 20 asymptomatic controls. Diagnoses other than CECS were excluded with rigorous inclusion criteria and magnetic resonance imaging. The IMCP was measured continuously before, during, and after participants exercised on a treadmill, wearing identical footwear and carrying a 15-kg load. RESULTS: Pain experienced by study subjects increased incrementally as the study progressed (P < .001). Pain levels experienced by the case group during each phase of the exercise were significantly different (P = .021). Subjects had higher IMCP immediately upon standing at rest compared with controls (23.8 mm Hg [controls] vs 35.5 mm Hg [subjects]; P = .006). This relationship persisted throughout the exercise protocol, with the greatest difference corresponding to the period of maximal tolerable pain (68.7 mm Hg [controls] vs 114 mm Hg [subjects]; P < .001). Sensitivity and specificity were consistently higher than the existing criteria with improved diagnostic value (sensitivity = 63%, specificity = 95%; likelihood ratio = 12.5 [95% CI, 3.2-49]). CONCLUSION: Anterior compartment IMCP is elevated immediately upon standing at rest in subjects with CECS. In patients with symptoms consistent with CECS, diagnostic utility of IMCP measurement is improved when measured continuously during exercise. A cutoff of 105 mm Hg in phase 2 provides better diagnostic accuracy than do the Pedowitz criteria of 30 mm Hg and 20 mm Hg at 1 and 5 minutes after exercise, respectively.