Unidentified Recurrent Acute Compartment Syndrome of the Right Upper Limb

Abstract

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a surgical emergency that requires urgent fasciotomy to prevent irreversible sequelae. Symptoms usually include intense pain, tenderness in the affected area, tingling or burning sensation, and in severe cases, numbness or weakness and limb amputation due to ischemia from compression of the blood vessels, respectively. This case report describes a 19-year-old female who presented with complaints of severe pain and swelling in her right forearm. On examination, no bite marks, blisters, or skin necrosis were noted except for several surgical scars from her previous surgeries for the same condition, i.e., compartment syndrome. Upon thorough examination, including relevant investigation and clinical judgment, she was diagnosed with acute compartment syndrome, for which she underwent fasciotomy. There was no basic underlying pathology found in her case, making it an unidentified case of acute compartment syndrome.