Compartment Syndrome Flashcards
When should you suspect compartment syndrome?
When any patient has pain out of proportion to the injury
If you have a patient with a fracture in which morphine is not helping to relieve pain, what should you be suspicious of?
Compartment syndrome
If compartment syndrome isn’t treated, what can happen?
Permanent deformity and pain
What is compartment syndrome?
A condition in which the circulation in a closed splace is compromised by increased pressure
Where is the most common area for compartment syndrome?
Lower leg
->but relatively common in forearms, hand, foot, thigh etc.
Why is compartment syndrome more common in the lower leg?
Because there are four compartments, each invested by tough fascia so four potential sites for increased pressure
Compartment syndrome can either have a internal or external cause.
What are some of the internal causes?
Haemorrhage
Fractures
Swelling
Increased fluid secondary to bursitis
Compartment syndrome can either have a internal or external cause.
What are some of the external causes?
Tights cases or dressings
What is the most common cause of compartment syndrome?
Haemorrhage
Tissue damage within a compartment
When does acute compartment syndrome occur?
After trauma, usually a fracture
However, can be :
burns, crush injuries, haemorrhage, drug injection
How is a diagnosis of compartment syndrome made?
Pain- disproportionate to injury
Pain- on passive stretch
Altered sensation
Weakness
Swelling
Sometimes absent pulse but do not wait for this to occur!!!
What is another way of diagnosing compartment syndrome for those at risk?
Compartment pressure monitoring
Which vessels are the most prone to compartment syndrome?
Capillaries
How does BP relate to compartment syndrome?
Lower the blood pressure, more likely a patient is to develop compartment syndrome
Treatment of compartment syndrome?
Open any constrictive dressings to skin
If this does not help, treat with emergency fasciotomy of all affected compartments
