Acute exertional compartment syndrome of the medial foot.

Blacklidge DK, Kurek JB, Soto AD, Kissel CG. J Foot Ankle Surg 1996 Jan-Feb;35(1):19-22.

A review of compartment syndrome, both acute and chronic, is presented. The pathophysiology, anatomy, diagnosis, and treatment are presented in relation to a unique case report. The case is one of acute exertional compartment syndrome of the medial foot treated by fasciotomy. This condition is uncommon in both its nature and location.

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.

Acute compartment syndrome.

Engelund D, Kjersgaard AG. Ugeskr Laeger 1991 Apr 15;153(16):1110-3.

The object of this article is to review the current knowledge about the acute compartment syndrome. The syndrome is caused by increased pressure in a muscle compartment and may result from several different conditions: fractures, contusions, haemorrhage, poisoning etc. The pathological physiology is complicated but the main theory is that progressive venous hypertension is involved and that this causes cessation of the microcirculation of the muscle concerned. The clinical diagnosis is described and pressure recording apparatus is reviewed. Treatment of the acute compartment syndrome consists of fasciotomy. Common sites are indicated and operative techniques suggested. Fasciotomy should be performed with compartmental pressures of about 30 mmHg. The untreated compartment syndrome will result in muscular fibrosis and nerve injury and will thus cause incapacitating conditions which may be avoided entirely if fasciotomy is performed in time.