compartment syndrome

Question 1

what causes compartment syndrome?

Answer 1

swelling of muscle occluding blood flow

veins first then arteries

Question 2

what is the name of the contracture in compartment syndrome?

Answer 2

volkmanns

Question 3

typically occurs where on the body?

Answer 3

forearm and calf

Question 4

causes of CS?

Answer 4

trauma
crush injury
continued pressure on a limb (common in drug and alcohol abuse)

Question 5

distal pulses and neurological exam usually normal until late on–> very bad sign

Answer 5

if there are reduced or absent pulses it is likely the diagnosis is too late to stop ishcaemic damage

Question 6

when should you be suspicious of compartment syndrome?

Answer 6

pain out of proportion with injury
pain increases over time despite use of analgesia
often increased pain on passive flexion and extension of the affected limb

Question 7

what investigations can you do?

Answer 7

its a clinical diagnosis but you can do compartment pressures

Question 8

what does the difference in arterial pressure and compartment pressure need to be ?

Answer 8

needs to be >30mmHg for adequate perfusion

Question 9

what is the treatment ?

Answer 9

fasciotomy - needs to be done s soon as possible to stop irreversible damage