Compartment syndrome

Compartment Syndrome

Compartment syndrome is a serious condition that involves increased pressure in a muscle compartment. It can lead to muscle and nerve damage and problems with blood flow.

Pronunciation

/kəmˈpɑːtmənt/ /sɪnˈdroʊm/

Etymology

The term "compartment syndrome" is derived from the Latin "compartimentum" meaning "a division" and the Greek "σύνδρομο" meaning "concurrence".

Definition

Compartment syndrome occurs when excessive pressure builds up inside an enclosed space in the body. This can result from a traumatic injury, such as a fracture or crush injury, or from non-traumatic causes such as a prolonged period of immobility. The high pressure can disrupt blood flow which could lead to permanent injury if not treated promptly.

Symptoms

Symptoms of compartment syndrome may include severe pain that doesn't go away when you're at rest or pain that seems greater than you would expect from the injury itself. Other symptoms may include decreased sensation, numbness and tingling, or paralysis.

Causes

Compartment syndrome is most commonly caused by a traumatic injury such as a broken bone or a crush injury. Other causes can include anabolic steroid use, bandage or cast that is too tight, a prolonged period of heavy exercise, or a condition that causes bleeding or swelling, such as a blood clot or ruptured blood vessel.

Treatment

Treatment for compartment syndrome may involve surgery to reduce the pressure. Nonsurgical treatment may be possible in some cases.

Related Terms

• Fasciotomy
• Rhabdomyolysis
• Crush Syndrome
• Volkmann's Contracture

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Compartment syndrome
• Wikipedia's article - Compartment syndrome

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