Question

A patient was in an automobile accident and sustained severe crushing injuries and fractures in her right foot. She developed compartment syndrome. Describe compartment syndrome and how this condition could lead to a loss of the use of her foot?

Answer 1

Compartment syndrome is due to increased pressure within a muscle compartment of the leg. It is caused due to injury, such as fracture, which results in bleeding in the muscle, which then causes increased pressure in the muscle. This pressure increase causes nerve damage due to decreased blood supply. If not treated there will be swelling and muslces loses its blood supply, cells eventually die and muscle necrosis occurs. Often it is due to a fracture of the radius or ulna in the forearm or the tibia and fibula in the lower leg that causes significant bleeding in one or more of the compartments.Crush injuries may cause both bleeding and swelling of a muscle.

Symptoms: numbness and decreased range of motion

Complications: amputation, infection, nerve damage

Surgery:fasciotomy