Orthopedics - Compartment Syndrome and Crush Injuries
1. What is compartment syndrome?: - a group of one or more muscles and their associated nerves
and vessels surrounded by fascia that is relatively unyielding
2. When occurs with compartment syndrome?: - occurs when vascular perfusion of the muscle
and other tissues within a compartment DECREASES to a level that is inadequate to sustain viability
3. What is the MC location of compartment syndrome?: - anterior compartment of tibia
- volar forearm
- long bones
4. What is the MOI that causes compartment syndrome?: MOI = CRUSH injuries and/or
systemic hypotension patients
- BURN patients
- soft-tissue blows causing muscular injury and hemorrhage
Usually follows trauma
5. How is the onset of compartment syndrome?: - usually ACUTE
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, 6. What is a RF for compartment syndrome?: - poor peripheral perfusion
7. What is an exertional cause of compartment syndrome?: - muscles active during exercise
swell in a PATHOLOGIC manner, compression neurovascular structures within the same compartment
8. How can compartment syndrome occur chronically?: - long distance runners
- new military recruits
- individuals who dramatically increase activity levels
9. How do patients with chronic compartment syndrome improve?: with rest following
exercise
10. Describe the pathophysiology of compartment syndrome and how it leads
to necrosis of the muscle.: 1. intracompartmental tissue pressure elevates
2. venous pressure ELEVATES, which OBSTRUCTS VENOUS OUTFLOW
3. venous outflow obstruction restricts and DECREASES arterial flow
4. necrosis of muscle and nerve tissues can occur in 4-8 hours
11. What can failure to recognize acute compartment syndrome lead to?: - necrotic
muscle, replaced by scar tissue
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1. What is compartment syndrome?: - a group of one or more muscles and their associated nerves
and vessels surrounded by fascia that is relatively unyielding
2. When occurs with compartment syndrome?: - occurs when vascular perfusion of the muscle
and other tissues within a compartment DECREASES to a level that is inadequate to sustain viability
3. What is the MC location of compartment syndrome?: - anterior compartment of tibia
- volar forearm
- long bones
4. What is the MOI that causes compartment syndrome?: MOI = CRUSH injuries and/or
systemic hypotension patients
- BURN patients
- soft-tissue blows causing muscular injury and hemorrhage
Usually follows trauma
5. How is the onset of compartment syndrome?: - usually ACUTE
1/4
, 6. What is a RF for compartment syndrome?: - poor peripheral perfusion
7. What is an exertional cause of compartment syndrome?: - muscles active during exercise
swell in a PATHOLOGIC manner, compression neurovascular structures within the same compartment
8. How can compartment syndrome occur chronically?: - long distance runners
- new military recruits
- individuals who dramatically increase activity levels
9. How do patients with chronic compartment syndrome improve?: with rest following
exercise
10. Describe the pathophysiology of compartment syndrome and how it leads
to necrosis of the muscle.: 1. intracompartmental tissue pressure elevates
2. venous pressure ELEVATES, which OBSTRUCTS VENOUS OUTFLOW
3. venous outflow obstruction restricts and DECREASES arterial flow
4. necrosis of muscle and nerve tissues can occur in 4-8 hours
11. What can failure to recognize acute compartment syndrome lead to?: - necrotic
muscle, replaced by scar tissue
2/4
