Dr. Joseph McGinley of Casper Medical Imaging has performed the world’s first treatment of Exertional Compartment Syndrome with Botox right here in Casper, Wyoming.
A Natrona County High School senior and student athlete, Laura Stamp, was suffering from chronic pain in her calves and had been diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome. Before enduring complicated surgery, Laura was seen by Dr. Joseph McGinley to look at other, non-invasive treatments.
“What we ended up finding is that her veins were being compressed by her muscles up in her thigh,” Dr. McGinley said. These compressed muscles were blocking the blood flow into her calves and causing them to expand, creating pressure and pain. Dr. McGinley’s answer? Botox.
Yes, the same Botox made popular by its cosmetic benefits.
“We ended up putting Botox in the muscle that was compressing the vein,” he said. “It saves very young people and young athletes from a quite invasive surgery.” And a surgery that is only successful about half the time, according to Dr. McGinley.
Two weeks after Laura’s first treatment, she was back on the soccer field after being sidelined for most of the season. She spent the summer training and just began her senior-year cross country season.
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Botox generally last five to six months; however, because Laura is the first person to ever receive this treatment, physicians are not sure how long the affects will last. In the meantime, Laura is running pain-free for the first time in three years and is hoping this treatment will help others with Compartment Syndrome avoid invasive, complicated surgery just as she did.
More on Exertional Compartment Syndrome Therapy
To read an article from the Casper Star Tribune on Laura Stamp’s recovery from compartment syndrome using Dr. Joseph McGinley’s botox treatment, click here.