Massage & Bodywork Licensing Practice Examination (MBLEx)

The syndrome associated with swelling of the muscles in the lower leg that leads to neurovascular impingement is compartment syndrome. This condition occurs when excessive pressure builds up within a closed muscle compartment, often due to trauma, overuse, or injury, inhibiting blood flow and potentially damaging muscles and nerves.

In compartment syndrome, the pressure from swelling can restrict circulation and nerve function in the lower leg muscles, leading to symptoms such as pain, tingling, and sometimes paralysis if not addressed quickly. Ultimately, this can result in serious complications, including muscle necrosis, if not treated.

Other conditions such as restless leg syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and piriformis syndrome involve different mechanisms and locations. Restless leg syndrome is primarily a neurological disorder causing uncomfortable sensations in the legs, particularly at rest. Tarsal tunnel syndrome relates to compression of the tibial nerve within the tarsal tunnel of the ankle, which is not specifically linked to compartment pressures in the lower leg muscles. Piriformis syndrome involves the piriformis muscle in the gluteal region compressing the sciatic nerve, which is distinct from the compartment pressures seen in the lower leg.