J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2025 Jun;36(3):130-135.

Spontaneous compartment syndrome of the thigh following high-heeled shoe walking in a woman

• Jung SH

Abstract

Acute spontaneous compartment syndrome of the thigh (CST) is rare. A diagnosis of CST is challenging because of the limited experience of clinicians, the voluminous nature of the quadriceps muscle, and the elasticity of the fascia, leading to vague symptoms. Furthermore, no absolute intracompartmental pressure threshold has been established for diagnosing CST. Therefore, clinical suspicion, comprehensive history taking, and a physical examination are crucial for achieving an early and accurate diagnosis, leading to timely surgical intervention. The authors encountered a case of an older female patient with spontaneous CST following high-heeled shoe walking. This report provides diagnostic clues regarding the potential association between high-heeled shoes and true spontaneous CST in female patients.

Keyword

Thigh compartment syndrome; Atraumatic; Spontaneous; High-heeled shoes