INTRODUCTION High occupancy rates of NHS beds has meant that increasing numbers of trauma patients find themselves on non-orthopaedic wards. Nursing staff on these wards may not have the specialist training to nurse such patients and may not recognise complications should they arise. The failure to recognise compartment syndrome was highlighted in a Clinical Governance meeting, leading to an as...

INTRODUCTION Acute compartment syndrome of the lower limb is a rare but severe intra- and post-partum complication. Prompt diagnosis is essential to avoid permanent functional restriction or even the loss of the affected limb. Clinical signs and symptoms might be nonspecific, especially in the early stages; therefore, knowledge of predisposing risk factors can be helpful. CASE PRESENTATION We...

Elevation of pressure within tightly bound myofascial compartments has detrimental consequences if not treated promptly, leading to a loss of circulation, ischemia, myonecrosis, nerve damage, and limb loss. They are commonly seen in the distal upper and lower extremities; however, compartment syndrome of the hand is rarely encountered and prompt recognition can prevent permanent damage and tiss...

INTRODUCTION Intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome have been increasingly recognized as a hip arthroscopy complication over the past decade. In the absence of consensus definitions and treatment guidelines, the diagnosis and management of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome remains variable from institution to institution. CASE PRESENTATIO...

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a condition in which patients experience pain with exercise that usually subsides with resting.1 CECS is defined as increased pressure within a closed fibro-osseous space that can cause reduced blood flow and tissue perfusion within that space. These changes within a confined compartment can lead to ischemic pain and damage to the tissues of tha...

The aim of this retrospective multicentre study was to report the continued occurrence of compartment syndrome secondary to paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures in the period 1995 to 2005. The inclusion criteria were children with a closed, low-energy supracondylar fracture with no associated fractures or vascular compromise, who subsequently developed compartment syndrome. There were 11 ...

This article presents a case of an 80-year-old woman with severe hematoma and consequently a compartmental syndrome of the hand complicated with acute bullous eruption due to extravasation of contrast material. Compartment syndrome of the hand has been linked to a number of various etiologies. Failure to adequately diagnose and treat compartment syndromes of the hand can lead to irreparable fun...

We reviewed 25 patients with tibial diaphyseal fractures which had been complicated by an acute compartment syndrome. Thirteen had undergone continuous monitoring of the compartment pressure and the other 12 had not. The average delay from injury to fasciotomy in the monitored group was 16 hours and in the non-monitored group 32 hours (p < 0.05). Of the 12 surviving patients in the monitored gr...

BACKGROUND Compartment syndrome of any extremity is a limb-threatening emergency requiring an emergent surgical management. Thus, ruling out compartment syndrome is often high on the list of priorities when treating high-energy injuries and fractures. However, even in the most seemingly benign injuries, this dangerous diagnosis must always remain on the differential and suspicion must remain hi...

Acute compartment syndromes in the lower leg are well recognized following major trauma. However, although rare, they may occur following seemingly minor sporting injury. A case of acute compartment syndrome, following a football game and affecting the peroneal or lateral compartment, is described, in which prompt diagnosis and treatment led to a satisfactory outcome. The diagnosis and surgical...