Case Study 186: Lumbar Compartment Syndrome A rare but serious cause of acute low back pain — Lumbar Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome. Often seen after intense exercise or trauma, this condition involves increased pressure within the paraspinal muscle compartment, leading to ischemia, severe pain, and potential muscle necrosis. 📍Clinical Clue: Severe, unrelenting back pain out of proportion to exam, elevated CK, and possible radicular symptoms. 📍Imaging: MRI may show muscle edema; CT can reveal