Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The diagnosis of compartment syndrome is difficult, and the data reported herein show that significant practice variation is likely, even within a single institution. It is unknown what the "true" rate of compartment syndrome should be, considering that a rate that is too high indicates unnecessary surgery and a rate that is too low means missing a devastating injury. Our data indicate lack of consensus in practice regarding the diagnosis of compartment syndrome, even at a high-volume level I trauma center, and emphasize the possibility of false-positive results of compartment pressure checks in clinical practice.

Diagnostic study, level II.

Therapeutic study, level III.

Prognostic study, level II.

Prognostic level III. See instructions for authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.