Acute compartment syndrome of the forearm in association with ulnar shortening osteotomy: a case report.
A 41-year-old man experienced severe pain in the forearm after undergoing ulnar shortening osteotomy to treat positive ulnar variance, a complication of a fracture of the distal end of the radius. The patient had compartment syndrome with compartment pressure of 55 mm Hg. A decompressive fasciotomy of the volar compartment provided total relief of pain and, subsequently, full recovery of all functions. We report the case and discuss the serious nature of compartment syndrome, its associated complications, and methods of diagnosis and management.
Moholkar
K
K
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Smyth
H
H
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014457:Ulna / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000628:therapy