Posterior thigh compartment syndrome associated with hamstring avulsion and chronic anticoagulation therapy.

Acute compartment syndrome consists of increased tissue pressure in a closed anatomical area leading to decreased vascular perfusion. It is frequently caused by trauma, fractures, or compression injuries1-16 and usually occurs in the forearm or lower leg. Reports of acute compartment syndrome of the thigh, especially without an associated fracture, are rare.1,2,4,5,10,11,14 This article presents posterior thigh compartment syndrome following an avulsion of the semitendinosus and long head of the biceps femoris muscles in a patient on chronic coumadin therapy for protein S deficiency, a common hypercoaguable state. This is the only reported case of posterior thigh compartment syndrome caused by a hamstring avulsion.