8/5/2023 0 Comments Lower leg compartmentsIn the hospital setting, patients with compartment syndrome usually complain of increased pain, and clinicians may find that patients who are developing compartment syndrome may require higher and higher doses of pain medication. If there is excessive swelling the patient may develop intense pain in the leg after the injury or even after the broken bone is fixed surgically. Clinical Presentation and Physical ExaminationĪ typical scenario for the development of a lower leg compartment syndrome is a patient who suffered a high-energy trauma (ex. Treatment of an acute compartment syndrome is an urgent surgical release of the constricting fascia (fasciotomy) allowing blood flow and oxygenation to the muscles and nerves. If this situation is severe enough or lasts for too long (traditionally beyond six hours), the muscles in the leg can suffer irreversible damage and die, and nerves can suffer permanent injury. This congestion worsens the pressure in the compartments and prevents oxygenated blood from reaching the muscles of the leg, usually causing intense pain. When this pressure gets high enough, the veins in the leg get compressed and are unable to allow blood to exit from the leg. After a trauma such as a broken bone or a crush injury to the leg, the resultant bleeding or swelling increases the pressure in these compartments. The muscles of the lower leg live in four “compartments”, regions of muscles enclosed by thick, fibrous sheaths. ![]() Compartment Syndrome of the Lower Leg (Acute)Ĭompartment syndrome of the lower leg is a devastating condition that frequently leads to permanent muscle and nerve damage, which may be associated with lifelong disability.
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