Single-centre retrospective study of 164 consecutive adults with acute compartment syndrome over 8 years, asking which patient characteristics predict who will develop ACS after injury — to guide targeted compartment pressure monitoring.
When a young man (under 35) presents with a tibial shaft or distal radius fracture, or a significant soft-tissue crush injury — especially with anticoagulation or bleeding diathesis.
Apply compartment pressure monitoring early; the authors recommend fasciotomy when the differential pressure (diastolic BP minus tissue pressure) falls below 30 mmHg.
Do not be falsely reassured by a low-energy mechanism in tibial fractures, as roughly 59% of tibial ACS cases in this series followed low-energy injury.
Single-centre retrospective study of 164 consecutive adults with acute compartment syndrome over 8 years, asking which patient characteristics predict who will develop ACS after injury — to guide targeted compartment pressure monitoring.
When a young man (under 35) presents with a tibial shaft or distal radius fracture, or a significant soft-tissue crush injury — especially with anticoagulation or bleeding diathesis.
Apply compartment pressure monitoring early; the authors recommend fasciotomy when the differential pressure (diastolic BP minus tissue pressure) falls below 30 mmHg.
Do not be falsely reassured by a low-energy mechanism in tibial fractures, as roughly 59% of tibial ACS cases in this series followed low-energy injury.