Nerve injury, compartment syndrome

Question 1

Definition of compartment syndrome

Answer 1

Pressure within fascial compartment exceeds the perfusion pressure of the compartment, resulting in ischaemia of tissues in that compartment

Question 2

Signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome

Answer 2

Pain not responding to analgesia
Esp pain on passive stretch
Mottling of the skin
May or may not have pulses, depending on which vessels obliterated

Question 3

Management of compartment syndrome

Answer 3

Review analgesia
Review external compression - bandage etc
Position limb level with heart
Contact senior - emergency fasciotomy

Question 4

Nerve affected by midshaft humeral fracture

Answer 4

Radial nerve

Question 5

Nerve affected by fibula neck fracture

Answer 5

Common peroneal nerve

Question 6

Supracondylar fracture (humerus, narrowest point just above elbow)

Answer 6

Median nerve

Question 7

Shoulder dislocation

Answer 7

Axillary nerve

Question 8

Hip dislocation

Answer 8

Sciatic nerve

Question 9

Neuropraxia definition

Answer 9

Reversible conduction block due to injury to axon sheath

Question 10

Axonotmesis

Answer 10

Disruption to myelin sheath and axon

Question 11

Neurotmesis

Answer 11

Complete nerve division and disruption of the endoneurium