Compartment syndrome

What Happens in Compartment Syndrome? Groups of organs or muscles are organized into areas called compartments. Strong webs of connective tissue called fascia form the walls of these compartments. After an injury, The legs, arms, and Compartment Syndrome Causes Acute compartment syndrome is the most common type of compartment syndrome. About three-quarters of the time, acute compartment syndrome is caused by a broken leg or arm. Acute compartment syndrome develops rapidly over hours or days. Compartment syndrome can develop from the fracture itself, due to pressure from bleeding and edema. Or compartment syndrome may occur later, as a result of treatment for the fracture (such as surgery or casting). Acute compartment syndrome can also occur after injuries without bone • Crush injuries • Burns • Overly tight • Prolonged compression of a limb during a period of unconsciousness • Surgery to blood vessels of an arm or leg • A • Extremely vigorous exercise , especially eccentric movements (extension under pressure) Taking anabolic Another form of compartment syndrome, called chronic compartment syndrome, develops over days or weeks. Also called exertional compartment syndrome, it may be caused by regular, vigorous Abdominal compartment syndrome almost always develops after a severe injury, surgery, or during critical illness. Some conditions associated with abdominal compartment syndrome include: • Trauma, especially when it results in shock • Abdominal surgery, particularly •...

Definition Acute compartment syndrome is a serious condition that involves increased pressure in a muscle compartment. It can lead to muscle and nerve damage and problems with blood flow. Alternative Names Fracture - compartment syndrome; Surgery - compartment syndrome; Trauma - compartment syndrome; Muscle bruise - compartment syndrome; Fasciotomy - compartment syndrome Causes Thick layers of tissue, called fascia, separate groups of muscles in the arms and legs from each other. Inside each layer of fascia is a confined space, called a compartment. The compartment includes the muscle tissue, nerves, and blood vessels. Fascia surrounds these structures, similar to the way in which insulation covers wires. Fascia do not expand. Any swelling in a compartment will lead to increased pressure in that area. This raised pressure, presses the muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. If this pressure is high enough, blood flow to the compartment will be blocked. This can lead to permanent injury to the muscle and nerves. If the pressure lasts long enough, the muscles may die and the arm or leg will no longer work. Surgery or even amputation may be done to correct the problem. Acute compartment syndrome may be caused by: • Trauma, such as a crush injury or surgery • Broken bone • Very bruised muscle • Severe sprain • A cast or bandage that is too tight • Loss of blood supply due to the use of a tourniquet or positioning during surgery Exertional compartment syndrome can be caused by repe...

What is compartment syndrome? Compartment syndrome is a serious condition that occurs when there’s a large amount of pressure inside a muscle compartment. Compartments are groups of muscle tissue, blood vessels, and nerves in your arms and legs surrounded by a very strong membrane called the fascia. Fascia does not expand, so swelling in a compartment can result in an increase in pressure inside the compartment. This results in injury to the muscles, blood vessels, and nerves inside the compartment. The increase in pressure can cut off blood flow to the compartment. This can result in loss of oxygen going to the tissues (ischemia) and cellular death (necrosis). Compartment syndrome can develop when there’s bleeding or swelling within a compartment. This can cause pressure to build up inside the compartment, which can prevent blood flow. It can cause permanent damage if left untreated, as the muscles and nerves won’t get the nutrients and oxygen they need. Not treating the condition may lead to amputation. Acute compartment syndrome This type of compartment syndrome typically occurs after you experience a major injury. In rare cases, it can also develop after a minor injury. For example, you may develop acute compartment syndrome: • following a fracture • after an injury that crushes your arm or leg • as a result of a severely bruised muscle • from wearing a cast or tight bandage • from heavy drinking or drug use Chronic (exertional) compartment syndrome Exercise, especiall...

Compartment syndrome is a painful condition that occurs when pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels. This pressure can decrease blood flow, which prevents nourishment and oxygen from reaching nerve and muscle cells. Compartment syndrome can be either acute (having severe symptoms for a short period of time) or chronic (long-lasting). • Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency. It is usually caused by a severe injury and is extremely painful. Without treatment, it can lead to permanent muscle damage. • Chronic compartment syndrome, also known as exertional compartment syndrome, is usually not a medical emergency. It is most often caused by athletic exertion and is reversible with rest. Although this condition can occur in many areas of the body, this article will focus on compartment syndrome in the lower leg. Anatomy Figure A: Reproduced and adapted with permission from Gruel CR: Lower Leg, in Sullivan JA, Anderson SJ (eds): Care of the Young Athlete. Rosemont, IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2000. Figure B: Reproduced and adapted from The Body Almanac. © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2003. Description Compartment syndrome develops when swelling or bleeding occurs within a compartment. Because the fascia does not stretch, this can cause increased pressure on the capillaries, nerves, and muscles in the compartment. Blood flow to muscle and nerve cells is disrupted. Without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, nerve and ...

Overview Chronic exertional compartment syndrome is an exercise-induced muscle and nerve condition that causes pain, swelling and sometimes disability in the affected muscles of the legs or arms. Anyone can develop the condition, but it's more common in young adult runners and athletes who participate in activities that involve repetitive impact. Symptoms Your limbs have specific areas of muscle (compartments). Your lower leg, for example, has four compartments. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome often occurs in the same compartment of an affected limb on both sides of the body, usually the lower leg. Signs and symptoms can include: • Aching, burning or cramping pain in a compartment of the affected limb • Tightness in the affected limb • Numbness or tingling in the affected limb • Weakness of the affected limb • Foot drop, in severe cases, if legs are affected • Occasionally, swelling or bulging as a result of a muscle hernia Pain caused by chronic exertional compartment syndrome typically follows this pattern: • Begins consistently after a certain time, distance or intensity of exertion after you start exercising the affected limb • Progressively worsens as you exercise • Becomes less intense or stops completely within 15 minutes of stopping the activity • Over time, recovery time after exercise may increase Taking a complete break from exercise or performing only low-impact activity might relieve your symptoms, but relief is usually only temporary. Once you take up...

Compartment syndrome is an increase in pressure inside a muscle, which restricts blood flow and causes pain. If it happens suddenly, it can be serious and need treatment as soon as possible. Check if you have compartment syndrome You can get compartment syndrome in any muscle, but it most often affects the muscles in the lower legs and forearms. Symptoms include: • pain in a muscle – this may feel like a burning pain or a deep ache (moving the body part can make the pain even worse) • swelling or bulging of the muscle • numbness, weakness or pins and needles • tightness or difficulty moving the affected body part The symptoms can start suddenly, such as after an injury or if a bandage or plaster cast is too tight. This is called acute compartment syndrome. Symptoms can also come on gradually after exercising and go away when you rest. This is called chronic compartment syndrome. • you keep getting pain, numbness, swelling, or have difficulty moving a part of your body when you exercise A GP can help find out if the pain is caused by compartment syndrome or another condition. Tests for compartment syndrome If the GP thinks you may have compartment syndrome, you may be referred to a specialist for tests. Tests you may have include: • an • • compartment pressure measurement – a needle connected to a pressure monitoring device is inserted into your muscle before and after exercise to measure the pressure inside it Measuring the pressure inside a muscle is usually only recommen...

• Acute: Timely • Chronic: Compartment syndrome is a condition in which increased pressure within one of the body's Symptoms of acute compartment syndrome (ACS) can include severe pain, poor pulses, decreased ability to move, numbness, or a pale color of the affected limb. In chronic compartment syndrome (aka chronic exertional compartment syndrome), there is generally pain with exercise but the pain dissipates once activity ceases. Acute compartment syndrome occurs in about 3% of those who have a midshaft fracture of the forearm. Signs and symptoms [ ] Compartment syndrome usually presents within a few hours of an inciting event, but may present anytime up to 48 hours after. Acute [ ] There are five characteristic signs and symptoms related to acute compartment syndrome: pain, Common • Pain – A person may experience pain disproportionate to the findings of the physical examination. • Paresthesia (altered sensation) – A person may complain of "pins & needles", numbness, and a tingling sensation. This may progress to loss of sensation ( Uncommon • Paralysis – Paralysis of the limb is a rare, late finding. It may indicate both a nerve or muscular lesion. • Pallor and pulselessness – A lack of pulse rarely occurs in patients, as pressures that cause compartment syndrome are often well below arterial pressures. Absent pulses only occur when there is arterial injury or during the late stages of the compartment syndrome, when compartment pressures are very high. Chronic [ ] The ...