Trauma & OrthopaedicsPending review
Compartment Syndrome
Rising pressure within a closed fascial compartment collapses capillary perfusion long before it occludes major arteries, causing muscle and nerve ischaemia while pulses are still present, and demanding emergency fasciotomy.
First principles
A fascial compartment is a closed box, not an open space
Muscles, nerves and vessels of the limb are enclosed within relatively inelastic fascial envelopes. Any process that increases the volume of contents, such as bleeding or oedema from a fracture or reperfusion injury, or that reduces compartment size, such as a tight cast or circumferential burn, raises pressure within this closed box because the fascia cannot expand to accommodate it.
Educational content pending clinical review. Not medical advice.