Reduced strength in the affected arm or leg.Affected limb is pale, cold and may feel tense or hard.Pins and needles in the affected arm or leg.Burning sensation or tightness around the affected area. ![]() Other symptoms of acute compartment syndrome include: Nerve damage due to the compartment syndrome may also make pain worse. In compartment syndrome, pain typically increases despite immobilisation of a fracture. However, in compartment syndrome, the pain tends to be severe and out of proportion to the injury.įor example, pain usually improves when a broken bone (a fracture) is immobilised in a plaster cast or with a splint. Pain is likely to occur after any injury. Pain usually occurs even at rest and may also be worse on movement. The main symptom of compartment syndrome is pain. Compartment syndrome is also more likely to develop after an injury if you are taking medicines to treat or prevent blood clots (anticoagulant medication).īook a private appointment with a local physio today Book now This risk is increased further if you needed an operation to fix the broken bone or if you have infection in the affected limb. You are at increased risk of compartment syndrome if you have a broken bone (a fracture) in your your arm below the elbow (your forearm) or your leg below the knee. Medicines usually given via a drip into a vein (intravenous medicines) that inadvertently leak inside the arm around the vein.Ĭompartment syndrome does not occur after every injury to your arm or leg.Plaster casts that are fitted too tightly.Penetrating injury such as stabbings or gunshot wounds.Compartment syndrome can also occur due to: What injuries can cause compartment syndrome?Ī break in a bone (a fracture) is probably the most common injury that can lead to compartment syndrome - typically, a bone fracture in the legs or arms. If untreated, the muscle can be irreversibly and permanently damaged and can die (called muscle necrosis). Nerves within the compartment can also be compressed and damaged. This lack of blood flow (called ischaemia) means that oxygen is not delivered effectively to the muscles and muscle damage begins to occur.Īs muscle damage occurs, muscle cells start to produce chemicals which can further increase swelling and pressure within the muscle compartment. As time progresses, and as the degree of pressure in the fascial compartment increases, blood flow to the muscles in the compartment reduces. This causes the pressure within the compartment to rise. The initial injury usually causes swelling of the muscles and tissues within the fascial compartment of the limb. ![]() However, a long-standing (chronic) compartment syndrome is also possible (see below). Compartment syndrome usually comes on fairly quickly after injury (within 48 hours). It usually occurs after major or serious injuries, though - minor injuries causing compartment syndrome are rare. It can even occur after vigorous exercise. It is usually an injury to a limb that causes compartment syndrome and this can be almost any major or minor injury. Whilst this leaflet focuses on acute compartment syndrome, there's some information about chronic compartment syndrome at the end - see the "Chronic compartment syndrome" section. It's called 'chronic' because, although the symptoms come and go, people usually experience them over weeks, months, or longer. This isn't a medical emergency, although the symptoms can restrict people from exercising. Gradual (chronic) compartment syndrome.Ĭhronic compartment syndrome (sometimes called 'chronic exertional compartment syndrome') usually comes on with exercise and gets better at rest. This leaflet focuses on acute compartment syndrome. In acute compartment syndrome, pressure builds up quickly within a 'compartment' of the arm or leg, causing symptoms that rapidly get worse, and potentially leading to irreversible muscle damage if not treated urgently. ![]() It's usually caused by a serious injury, such as crush injuries to the arms or legs, or major bone fractures. Types of compartment syndrome Sudden (acute) compartment syndromeĪcute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency. This leaflet concentrates on compartment syndrome that can affect the limbs and does not discuss abdominal compartment syndrome further. It tends to affect people who are critically ill due to injury to their abdomen, or bleeding inside their abdomen, or who have other abdominal problems such as inflammation of the pancreas gland (pancreatitis). It occurs when there is increased pressure inside the cavity of the tummy (abdomen). It is slightly different to compartment syndrome affecting the limbs. Abdominal compartment syndrome can also occur.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |