[5] Increased pressure in a body compartment can harm blood flow and tissue function.

[8] Acute compartment syndrome can lead to a loss of the affected limb due to tissue death.

[5] It is most often due to physical trauma, like a bone fracture (up to 75% of cases) or a crush injury.

[5] Normal compartment pressure should be 12-18 mmHg; higher is abnormal and needs treatment.

[1] ACS is an emergency, and outcome largely depends on the time to diagnosis and treatment.

[13] ACS occurs in about 1-10% of those with a tibial shaft fracture.>[6] It is more common in males and those under 35, due to trauma.

[5] Delayed treatment can cause pain, nerve damage, cosmetic changes, and Volkmann's contracture.

[5] It can develop after traumatic injuries, like car accidents, gunshot wounds, fractures, or intense sports.

[26][26] Examples include a severe crush injury or an open or closed fracture of an extremity.

[19][14] The most common cause of acute compartment syndrome is a fractured bone, usually the tibia.

[33] There are many causes, which can be broadly grouped into three mechanisms: primary (internal bleeding and swelling); secondary (vigorous fluid replacement as an unintended complication of resuscitative medical treatment, leading to the acute formation of ascites and a rise in intra-abdominal pressure); and recurrent (compartment syndrome that has returned after the initial treatment of secondary compartment syndrome).

[35] Increased white blood cell count of more than 1,650/μL and aspartate transaminase (AST) level of more than 33.5 U/L are associated with developing compartment syndrome.

[36] Otherwise, those bitten by venomous snakes should be observed for 48 hours to exclude the possibility of compartment syndrome.

[42] This condition occurs commonly in the lower leg and various other locations within the body, such as the foot or forearm.

[11] CECS can be seen in athletes who train rigorously in activities that involve constant repetitive actions or motions.

[46] A transducer connected to a catheter is inserted 5 cm into the zone of injury to measure the intracompartmental pressure.

[5] Noninvasive methods, like near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), show promise in controlled settings.

[47] However, with limited data, the gold standard for diagnosis is the clinical presentation and intracompartmental pressure.

[58][24] If symptoms persist after basic treatment, or if someone wants to keep doing painful activities, compartment syndrome can be treated with surgery called fasciotomy.

[59][48] A 2012 US military study found that forefoot running reduced symptoms of anterior compartment syndrome.

[60] The study focused on runners with chronic exertional compartment syndrome in their lower legs.

[60] Case reports suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may help with crush injury, compartment syndrome, and other acute ischemias.

[61] Researchers have reported a mortality rate of 47% for acute compartment syndrome of the thigh.

[62] A study showed the fasciotomy rate for acute compartment syndrome ranges from 2% to 24%.

[19] The key factor in acute compartment syndrome is the time to diagnosis and fasciotomy.

[13] A fasciotomy in the leg's lateral compartment might cause symptoms affecting nearby nerves and muscles.

[5][7] This, in turn, leads to a gradual lack of oxygen in the tissues that depend on this blood supply.

[65] Other complications include neurological deficits, gangrene, and chronic regional pain syndrome.

[70] The article's authors found that the yearly rate of acute compartment syndrome is 1 to 7.3 cases per 100,000 people.

[73][74] Besides the "5 Ps," the "3 As" can diagnose compartment syndrome in children: increasing anxiety, agitation, and analgesic needs.