Compartment Syndrome

Compartment Syndrome

Compartment syndrome refers to a condition when there is undue pressure buildup in a muscle compartment which can give potential muscle and nerve injuries along with a compromised blood flow. ^[1] It can be acute or chronic. The acute one is often a medical emergency. Most of the cases result from a severe injury which when not given immediate medical attention may lead to irreversible damage. The chronic type is less serious and is usually precipitated by exertion in athletic activities. ^[2]

Causes

Acute compartment syndrome is often a result of stern injury like in cases of road accidents. Certain conditions whereby the syndrome can arise include fracture, burns, severely bruised muscle, extremely vigorous exercise, reestablished blood flow after an obstruction, crush injuries, surgeries, intake of drugs such as steroids and use of very tight casts and bandages.  The chronic compartment syndrome on the other hand may be brought about by repetitive activities like running and biking. Discontinuing the activity may relieve the symptoms. ^{[1] [2]}

In some scenarios, the compartment syndrome can be abdominal. The condition can be caused by abdominal surgery, trauma, ascites, sepsis and forceful abdominal exercises. ^[3]

Signs and Symptoms                                                                                  

The most common presenting symptom in the acute type is pain. The pain can be accompanied by swelling and bruising. There can be odd sensations such as pins and needles or feeling of electricity-like pain. Some people may have numbness. ^[3] The patient may describe tightness in the muscle and some may experience paralysis. In the chronic one, the pain usually gets away when the triggering activity is stopped. In some cases, the patient may lose sensation on the affected area or may have a hard time moving the foot. ^[2]

Diagnosis

After a carefully taken medical history, physical exam is done. A way to confirm the diagnosis is by measuring directly the pressure on the area involved.^[1]                                                                                                                                                              

Treatment

For acute conditions, surgery is often necessary. For the chronic one, physical therapy and orthotics are often advised. Anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed. If these measures do not help, surgery is recommended. ^[2]

References:

1.      http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001224.htm

2.      http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00204

3.      http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/compartment-syndrome-causes-treatments

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