GLOSSARY

Necrosis is an abnormal, uncontrolled form of cell death caused by severe injury, such as loss of blood supply, trauma, extreme cold or heat, toxins, or infection.
The term derives from the Greek nekros, meaning “dead.”

Features

In necrosis, the cell swells, its membrane ruptures, and its contents leak into the surrounding space.
These contents activate the immune system and cause inflammation; for this reason, necrosis usually involves groups of cells in an area and may also damage surrounding tissue.

Relevance to Sport

In acute compartment syndrome, which may follow a severe blow or a fracture of the leg, rising pressure within a muscle compartment cuts off the blood supply and, if not treated quickly, leads to