J Korean Foot Ankle Soc.  2013 Sep;17(3):165-173.

Acute Compartment Syndrome of the Lower Leg and Foot

• Chae SU

Abstract

Acute compartment syndrome of the lower leg and foot is a surgical emergency. The clinical symptoms is an important clue to diagnose compartment syndrome. In cases of ambiguous diagnosis, unconscious patients and children additionally need a intracompartmental pressure measuring. Immediate fasciotomy should be performed when clinical signs are obvious or when delta pressure is less than 30 mmHg or intracompartmental pressure is greater than 30 mmHg. Fasciotomy of the lower leg can be performed either by one lateral single incision or double incision, which of the foot mainly has a dorsal or medial incision. A delayed in diagnosis that leads to a delay in treatment can result in devastating disability. Acute compartment syndrome of the lower leg and foot is a relative rare but serious complication of which a surgeon should be aware.

Keyword

Lower leg; Foot; Acute compartment syndrome

MeSH Terms

Child
Compartment Syndromes
Emergencies
Foot
Humans
Leg
Unconscious (Psychology)