We present the case of a 15 year old boy, athlete and American football player, who after receiving a contusion with the helmet of a player from the opposing team on his right thigh, began with sudden and disabling pain, however, despite of the initial anti-inflammatory treatment with physical measures and once the presence of femoral fracture and hematoma had been ruled out, it persisted with symptoms highly suggestive of compartment syndrome. Due to the high rates of morbidity and mortality that can occur in an untreated compartment syndrome, we decided on emergency surgical management, which consisted of a lateral and posterior fasciotomy of the right thigh and delayed primary closure 2 days later . The patient was discharged due to clinical improvement and returned to competitive sports activity 4 months after the surgical procedure.
