Compartment syndrome

Question 1

Compartments of the lower leg

Answer 1

anterior
lateral
deep posterior
superficial posterior

Question 2

Structures of anterior compartment of lower leg

Answer 2

3 muscles
extensor hallicus longus
extensor digitorum 
longus
tibialis anterior
1 artery: anterior tibial artery
1 nerve: deep peroneal nerve

Question 3

structures of the lateral compartment of the lower leg

Answer 3

2 muscles: peroneus longus
peroneus brevis
1 nerve: superficial peroneal nerve

Question 4

structures of the deep posterior compartment of the lower leg

Answer 4

3 muscles:
tibialis posterior
flexor hallicus longus
flexor digitorum longus
2 arteries:
peroneal artery
posterior tibial artery
1 nerve:
tibial nerve

Question 5

structures of the superficial compartment of the lower leg

Answer 5

2 muscles:
gastrocnemis
soleus
1 nerve: sural nerve

Question 6

Lower leg: symptoms of anterior compartment syndrome

Answer 6

Pain and serlling over anterior leg.
Pain with passive plantar flexion of the foot and toes
decreased sensation over 1st dorsal web space.
Decreased pulse dorsalis pedis.
Weak Dorsiflexion of foot

Question 7

Lower leg: symptoms of lateral compartment syndrome

Answer 7

Pain with passive inversion foot.
decreased sensation over dorsum of foot.
Weak eversion of foot

Question 8

Lower leg: symptoms of deep posterior compartment syndrome

Answer 8

Pain with passive dorsiflexion of the foot.
decreased sensation over sole of foot.
Weak flexion of the great toe.
Weak posterior tibial pulse.

Question 9

Lower leg: symptoms of superficial posterior compartment syndrome

Answer 9

Pain with passive dorsiflexion of the foot.
decreased sensation over lateral foot.
Weak plantar flexion of the foot

Question 10

Compartment syndrome pressure criteria

Answer 10

> 30mm Hg or Diastolic BP - compartment pressure = less than 20 mm Hg

Question 11

List mechanisms that are high risk for compartment syndrome.

Answer 11

(1) Tibial fractures
(2) Forearm fractures
(3) Tight bandages
(4) Severe crush
(5) Localized prolonged compression
(6) Reperfusion after a period of ischemia
(7) Burns
(8) Excessive exercise

Question 12

What are systemic complications of compartment syndrome?

Answer 12

• Rhabomyolysis
• Hyperkalemia
• Hypocalcemia
• Myoglobinuria
• ATN
• Acidosis