What is differential diagnosis of compartment syndrome?

Differential Diagnosis These common pathologies may give the same pain characteristics or symptoms in the lower limbs:[16] shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) stress fractures fascial defects peroneal nerve entrapment popliteal artery entrapment syndrome claudication Compartment Syndrome of the Forearm – …

What else can cause symptoms like compartment syndrome?

Acute compartment syndrome can also occur after injuries without bone fractures, including:

Crush injuries.
Burns.
Overly tight bandaging.
Prolonged compression of a limb during a period of unconsciousness.
Surgery to blood vessels of an arm or leg.
A blood clot in a blood vessel in an arm or leg.

What are the 5 P’s of compartment syndrome?

Common Signs and Symptoms: The “5 P’s” are oftentimes associated with compartment syndrome: pain, pallor (pale skin tone), paresthesia (numbness feeling), pulselessness (faint pulse) and paralysis (weakness with movements).

How do you diagnose compartment syndrome?

Compartment pressure measurement test: If the provider suspects compartment syndrome, you’ll need a test to measure the pressure. The provider will insert a needle into the muscle. A machine attached to the needle will give the pressure reading. The healthcare provider may insert the needle in several different places.

What are the symptoms of anterior compartment syndrome?

Symptoms

Aching, burning or cramping pain in a compartment of the affected limb.
Tightness in the affected limb.
Numbness or tingling in the affected limb.
Weakness of the affected limb.
Foot drop, in severe cases, if legs are affected.
Occasionally, swelling or bulging as a result of a muscle hernia.

What are the two types of compartment syndrome?

There are 2 main types of compartment syndrome: acute compartment syndrome and chronic (also called exertional) compartment syndrome. Acute compartment syndrome: happens suddenly, usually after a fracture or severe injury. is a medical emergency and requires urgent treatment.

How do you test for compartment syndrome?

What are signs of anterior compartment syndrome?

What are the symptoms of anterior compartment syndrome? Anterior compartment syndrome causes pain along the front of the lower leg. It is commonly described as an aching, tight, cramping or squeezing pain. The pain normally occurs during exercise and does not go away until you stop exercising.

What is Volkmann contracture?

Volkmann contracture is a deformity of the hand, fingers, and wrist caused by injury to the muscles of the forearm. The condition is also called Volkmann ischemic contracture.

What are the 5 P’s of neurovascular assessment?

Assessment of neurovascular status is monitoring the 5 P’s: pain, pallor, pulse, paresthesia, and paralysis. A brief description of compartment syndrome is presented to emphasize the importance of neurovascular assessments.

Which is the most reliable clinical indicator of compartment syndrome?

Common symptoms observed in compartment syndrome include a feeling of tightness and swelling. Pain with certain movements, particularly passive stretching of the muscles, is the earliest clinical indicator of compartment syndrome. A patient may report pain with active flexion.

What is anterior compartment syndrome?

Anterior compartment syndrome, also known as anterior shin splints arises when the big muscle on the outside front of the lower leg becomes too big for the sheath that surrounds it causing pain. Anterior compartment syndrome can be acute or chronic. Acute compartment syndrome is a sudden onset and causes considerable pain.

What are the diagnostic criteria for acute compartment syndrome?

Generally, acute compartment syndrome is considered a clinical diagnosis. However, intracompartmental pressure (ICP) > 30 mmHg can be used as a threshold to aid in diagnosis.

What are the different locations of compartment syndrome?

The anterior compartment of the legis the most common location for compartment syndrome. This compartment contains the extensor muscles of the toes, the tibialis anterior muscle, the deep peroneal nerve, and the tibial artery. Other locations in which acute compartment syndrome is seen include the forearm, thigh, buttock, shoulder, hand, and foot.

What is the role of imaging in the diagnosis of compartment syndrome?

[8] In general, imaging studies do not have a role in the diagnosis of compartment syndrome. They are likely to help exclude other causes of the patient’s symptoms. Radiographs are the initial imaging study of choice in a patient with suspicion for anterior tibial pain.[9]