Compartment syndrome
Compartment syndrome
Causes
Crush injury
Fracture,
Prolonged immobility
TIght splints or casts
Result in increased pressure within muscle compartments and eventually vascular occlusion.
Clinical features
Swelling
Severe pain increasing on a passive stretch of muscles
Distal numbness
Redness
Mottling/blisters.
Pulses are absent or may be present distally.
Management
Loosen any restricting bandage/cast.
Refer as an emergency to orthopedics for fasciotomy