title: Do creatine kinase (CK) levels influence the diagnosis or outcome in patients with compartment syndrome?
abstract: We report a retrospective study in patients with compartment syndrome with the aim to analyse: 1) whether the level of rise in CK levels is a useful marker to the presence of compartment syndrome and; 2) whether an early fasciotomy assists in lowering of the elevated CK levels. The results of our study suggest that although raised CK levels are not diagnostic, they are a useful adjunct in making a diagnosis, and hence CK estimation should be done in all patients with suspected compartment syndrome. Moreover, an early fasciotomy (< 12 hours) has a statistically significant influence in lowering elevated CK levels, confirming the view that the earlier the decompression, the lesser the muscle damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Monklands Hospital, Airdrie.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ihedioha
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood*; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003402:Creatine Kinase