Compartment syndrome occurs when pressure builds up inside a closed space within the muscles, reducing blood flow to the tissues.
Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency that requires urgent surgery.
Without prompt treatment, the lack of blood flow can cause permanent damage to muscles and nerves, and the affected tissue may begin to die.
Is this an emergency?
Yes!
Acute Compartment Syndrome is an emergency and immediate surgical consultation is required.
Please contact 1300HANDOC immediately for advice and further instructions.
- Severe Pain
- Swelling
- Pulselessness
- Palor, pale, cold to touch
- Loss of sensation, pins and needles
- Low strength and movement
- Any condition that restricts the intracompartmental space or increases the fluid volume in the intracompartmental space. It can occur without any previous trauma but typically is associated with fractures including the distal radius fracture (Wrist fracture). Other causes include;
- Penetrating trauma injuries
- Injuries where there is distal radius fractures
- Other fractures involving soft tissue injuries.
- Soft tissue injuries
- Burns
- Crush injuries
- Infections
- Improperly placed casts, splints
- Tight bandages
- Reperfusion injuries
- Clinical examination and mechanism of injury
- Xrays
- Compartment pressure measurement test
If Acute compartment syndrome is diagnosed it requires emergency surgery.
Please contact 1300HANDOC immediately for advice and further instructions.
If you are diagnosed with Chronic Compartment Syndrome the recommend treatment pathway can involve hand therapy or physical therapy, activity modifications to manage symptoms. Along with removing any activities/exercises that trigger the condition.
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