Compartment Syndrome of the Lower Extremity

Abstract

Acute compartment syndrome of the lower extremity is a limb-threatening emergency that requires prompt surgical treatment. Early detection and decompression are necessary in order to avoid irreversible damage. In the lower extremity, compartment syndrome may occur around the pelvis, in the thigh, the lower leg or the foot. Acute compartment syndrome of the lower leg is most common. Sometimes, combined compartment syndromes of neighbouring skeletal regions are observed. In this review, the specific clinical symptoms as well as the anatomic and therapeutic characteristics of the acute compartment syndrome of the lower extremity are described.

Contemporary Management and Outcome After Lower Extremity Fasciotomy in Non-Trauma-Related Vascular Surgery

“…Many authors recommend the use of intracompartmental pressure monitoring when diagnosing ACS. 14 However, there is still controversy about its applications, 1,4,15 and many vascular surgeons in practice clinically diagnose ACS. 4,14,15 Heterogeneous patient cohorts using different fasciotomy techniques in the literature make it difficult to compare the results from this study.…”

Clinical review: Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture

“…Three incisions are usually necessary to effectively decompress all nine compartments of the foot [29] (Fig. 5).…”

“…5). The medial plantar incision allows access to the medial, superficial, calcaneal and lateral compartments, and the dorsal incision allows for release of the interossei and adductor compartments [29].…”

Focus on Compartment Syndrome

“…Hessmann et al focus on the compartment syndrome of the lower extremity [3]. Specific attention is paid to the compartment syndrome of the pelvic region and the thigh.…”