Main TopicsWhat do you assess with compartment syndrome?
Table of Contents
- What do you assess with compartment syndrome?
- What is the recommended management for suspected compartment syndrome?
- What is the most reliable indicator of compartment syndrome?
- What are the two types of compartment syndrome?
- What are the 5 Ps of compartment syndrome?
- What happens if compartment syndrome goes untreated?
- Which is the best description of compartment syndrome?
- What causes acute compartment syndrome in the arm?
- What is the mortality rate for acute compartment syndrome?
- How does local anaesthetic increase the risk of compartment syndrome?
What do you assess with compartment syndrome?
The skin should be warm, not cold, and swelling may be present if the blood return is not able to exit the hand. Assess whether blood is getting to the extremity or if it is able to drain. Check for capillary refill and note if it is sluggish or absent. If not, the possibility of compartment syndrome increases.
What is the recommended management for suspected compartment syndrome?
Share on Pinterest If compartment syndrome is suspected, patients should be directed to the emergency room. The only option to treat acute compartment syndrome is surgery. The procedure, called a fasciotomy, involves a surgeon cutting open the skin and the fascia to relieve the pressure.
What is the most reliable indicator of compartment syndrome?
Intractable pain out of proportion to the injury sustained is considered to be the earliest and most reliable indicator of a developing compartment syndrome. We report 4 cases where competent sensate patients developed compartment syndromes without any significant pain.
What are the two types of compartment syndrome?
There are 2 main types of compartment syndrome: acute compartment syndrome and chronic (also called exertional) compartment syndrome.
What are the 5 Ps of compartment syndrome?
Common Signs and Symptoms: The "5 P's" are oftentimes associated with compartment syndrome: pain, pallor (pale skin tone), paresthesia (numbness feeling), pulselessness (faint pulse) and paralysis (weakness with movements). Numbness, tingling, or pain may be present in the entire lower leg and foot.
What happens if compartment syndrome goes untreated?
Untreated compartment syndrome with ischemia of the lower leg or foot may lead to muscle contractures resulting in deformity and functional impairment [78]. Additionally, nerve damage may cause weakness or paralysis of the affected muscles and a dysfunctional painful extremity.
Which is the best description of compartment syndrome?
Mubarak and Hargens (1981) have described compartment syndrome as ‘An elevation of the interstitial pressure in a closed osseofascial compartment that results in microvascular compromise’. Compartment syndrome may be acute or chronic, depending on the cause of the increased pressure and how long the symptoms last.
What causes acute compartment syndrome in the arm?
Acute compartment syndrome can also be caused by bandages or casts that are too tight and restrict blood flow in the affected arm or leg. Without treatment to relieve the pressure of acute compartment syndrome, muscle and nerve tissue may be cut off from their blood supply.
What is the mortality rate for acute compartment syndrome?
Prognosis. A mortality rate of 47% has been reported for acute compartment syndrome of the thigh. According to one study the rate of fasciotomy for acute compartment syndrome varied from 2% to 24%. The most significant prognostic factor in patients with acute compartment syndrome is time to diagnosis.
How does local anaesthetic increase the risk of compartment syndrome?
In fact Rimmer (2002) suggests that the vaso-dilating effects of the local anaesthetic may actually increase the risk of compartment syndrome. Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a useful mode of delivery of good quality pain relief. Modern equipment has a history facility, which allows analgesic demands to be reviewed.
