Compartment Syndrome-Measurement of Compartment Pressures in the Hand and Forearm

Measurement of Compartment Pressures in the Hand and Forearm

Pdf Summary

Compartment syndrome is a condition that occurs when there is an increase of pressure within a specific space in the body, leading to reduced blood flow. This can ultimately result in tissue damage if not treated. Symptoms of compartment syndrome in the hand or forearm include pain, tightness of the skin, muscle weakness, and numbness. In severe cases, pulselessness may occur. There are various causes of compartment syndrome, including fractures, crush injuries, infections, and snake bites.<br /><br />The treatment for compartment syndrome involves surgical release of the affected compartments. In the hand, there are ten separate compartments that need to be evaluated and released if necessary. Pressure measurements of the compartments can be obtained using a handheld device or an intracompartmental catheter attached to an arterial transducer system.<br /><br />To measure compartment pressures, needles are inserted at specific locations in the hand or forearm, and saline is injected to equilibrate with interstitial fluid. Compartment pressure greater than 30 mm Hg is considered diagnostic of compartment syndrome.<br /><br />In cases where patients are unable to provide a clear history or participate in a clinical examination, such as pediatric or critically ill patients, compartment pressure measurements can be used to assess for compartment syndrome.<br /><br />Overall, compartment syndrome is a serious condition that requires prompt treatment. Measurement of compartment pressures is an important tool in the diagnosis and management of this condition.

Keywords

compartment syndrome

pressure increase

reduced blood flow

tissue damage

hand

forearm

pain

tightness of the skin

muscle weakness

fractures