Acute compartment syndrome

Definition

Recognizing signs and symptoms

High index of suspicious

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Definition

A condition resulting from increasing pressure in a confined body space, especially of the leg or forearm, leading to reduce in blood flow, which prevent nourishment and oxygen from reaching the tissue.

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Recognizing signs and symptoms

The tell-tale sign of acute compartment syndrome is ‘pain disproportionate to the injury’. Look for the 5P’s for condition highly suspicious for acute compartment syndrome.

Pain

Pallor

Pulse

Paraesthesia

Paralysis

**poikilothermia (additional)

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High index of suspicious

Acute compartment syndrome is best to be avoided rather than treated. It is a limb-threatening condition, if patient already diagnosed with acute compartment syndrome, most likely its already to late, the limb might not be able to be saved, or become functionless.