Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- presence of risk factors
Other diagnostic factors
- pain
- pressure (muscle tightness)
- paraesthesia
- pulselessness
- pallor
- paralysis
Risk factors
- trauma
- bleeding disorder
- compression support
- thermal injury
- intense muscular activity
- extravasation of intravenous infusion
- venous obstruction
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- compartment pressure measurement
Investigations to consider
- serum creatine kinase
- urine myoglobin
Treatment algorithm
acute with occlusive dressing
acute without occlusive dressing
chronic
Contributors
Authors
Miren A. Schinco, MD, FACS
Critical Care Surgeon
WakeMed Hospital
Rayleigh
NC
Disclosures
MAS declares that she has no competing interests.
Victor J. Hassid, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Plastic Surgery
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston
TX
Disclosures
VJH declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Leslie Klenerman, ChM, FRCSEd, FRCSEng
Emeritus Professor of Orthopaedic and Accident Surgery
University of Liverpool
Liverpool
Associate Editor
British Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
London
UK
Disclosures
LK declares that he has no competing interests.
Timothy Humphries, MD
Associate Program Director
Atlanta Medical Center
Department of General Surgery
Atlanta
GA
Disclosures
Not disclosed.
Differentials
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Stress fracture
- Acute ischaemia
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Management of acute compartment syndrome
- Clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute limb compartment syndrome following trauma
More GuidelinesPatient leaflets
Burns (minor)
More Patient leafletsLog in or subscribe to access all of BMJ Best Practice
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer