title: Low-impact trauma causing acute compartment syndrome of the lower extremities.
abstract: Compartment syndrome usually occurs in the muscles of an extremity as a consequence of trauma or reperfusion. However, it can also occur from minor injuries with resulting hematoma.We reviewed the charts of 5 individuals who presented to the emergency department after minimal or no known trauma and were ultimately diagnosed with acute compartment syndrome. None sustained fractures, and 2 had documented muscle tears. All patients were found to have hematomas in the affected compartment at the time of surgery. Low-impact trauma can cause acute compartment syndrome in the lower extremities. These cases could be the result of muscle hemorrhage and subsequent hematoma formation, rather than muscle swelling itself. Anticoagulation therapy can increase the risk of hemorrhage.
authors.affiliation: Long Island Plastic Surgical Group, Garden City, NY 11530, USA. kaliano@lipsg.com
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aliano
authors.forename: Salil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gulati
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stavrides
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Davenport
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hines
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013848:Thigh / Q000293:injuries*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*