Acute compartment syndrome of the triceps. A case report.

Cameron SE. Acta Orthop Scand 1993 Feb;64(1):107-8.

A case of an acute compartment syndrome of the triceps muscle complicating a surgical neck fracture of the humerus is presented. Diagnosis was suspected because of pain with passive elbow flexion and pain out of proportion to the clinical situation. Diagnosis was confirmed with intracompartmental pressure measurements. An emergency fasciotomy was performed. The patient had an excellent result.

Acute compartment syndrome due to closed muscle rupture.

Gwynne Jones DP, Theis JC. Aust N Z J Surg 1997 Apr;67(4):227-8.

Acute compartment syndrome has multiple causes: fractures, crush injury, vascular trauma and burns. Exertional compartment syndrome may be acute (progressive) or chronic (usually reversible). The acute form usually occurs after intensive exercise. Closed muscle rupture is an uncommon cause with few reports. We report two cases, in the peroneal compartment of the leg and the flexor compartment of the forearm, to show that a high index of suspicion, allowing prompt diagnosis and fasciotomy, will enable a full recovery without complications.