Acute Compartment Syndrome of the Lower Leg: Changing Concepts

Abstract

The acute limb compartment syndrome is caused by bleeding or edema in a closed muscle compartment surrounded by fascia and bone, leading to muscle and nerve ischemia. The value offasciotomy has been demonstrated in the management of acute compartment syndrome, but ifperformed after a delay of8 to 10 hours, it can prove to be a double-edged weapon, as necrotic muscle would get exposed leading to muscle infections and massive bleeding.

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