title: Fracture complications.
abstract: This article highlights 2 important complications of fracture: acute compartment syndrome and fat embolism syndrome (FES). FES is most commonly associated with long-bone and pelvic fracture, whereas acute compartment syndrome is often associated with tibia or forearm fracture. The onset of both of these complications may be difficult to assess in the nonverbal patient or in the patient with multiple trauma. Careful, serial assessment of the patient with fracture is necessary to recognize and treat these complications promptly. Early treatment and supportive care are crucial to positive outcomes for patients with complications of fracture.
authors.affiliation: Austin Peay State University, School of Nursing, Clarksville, TN 37044, USA. hersheyk@apsu.edu
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hershey
mesh_terms: D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000150:complications; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013577:Syndrome; D055815:Young Adult