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Compartment syndrome of extremities

Last reviewed: 2 Oct 2024
Last updated: 23 Nov 2023

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Other diagnostic factors

  • pain
  • pressure (muscle tightness)
  • paresthesia
  • paralysis
Full details

Risk factors

  • trauma
  • bleeding disorder
  • compression support
  • thermal injury
  • intense muscular activity
  • extravasation of intravenous infusion
  • venous obstruction
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • compartment pressure measurement
Full details

Tests to consider

  • serum creatine kinase
  • urine myoglobin
  • troponin
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

acute with occlusive dressing

acute without occlusive dressing

ONGOING

chronic

Contributors

Authors

Dr Arvind von Keudell, MD, MPH

Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon

Associate Professor

Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School

Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Denmark

Disclosures

AK declares that he has no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Dr Arvind von Keudell would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Miren A. Schinco and Dr Victor J. Hassid, the previous contributors to this topic.

Disclosures

MAS and VJH declare that they have no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Jennifer Cone, MD, MHS, FACS

Assistant Professor of Surgery, Section of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

Associate Program Director, General Surgery Residency Program

Co-Director, Military General Surgery Residency Program

Department of Surgery

The University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences

Chicago

IL

Disclosures

JC declares that she has no competing interests.

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