title: Acute and chronic compartment syndromes: know when to act fast.
abstract: Compartment syndrome is a fairly common condition noted in patients with fractures or crush injuries to the extremities (acute compartment syndrome) and in athletes (chronic compartment syndrome). Compartments bound by fascia are found in the extremities, buttocks, and abdomen; conditions that cause intracompartmental swelling and hypertension can lead to ischemia and limb loss. This article reviews diagnosis of the problem, monitoring of compartment pressure, and appropriate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Nancy McLaughlin is an assistant program director of the PA program at the Philadelphia (Pa.) College of Osteopathic Medicine. Hank Heard is an assistant clinical professor in the PA program at Mercer University in Atlanta, Ga. Steven Kelham is a chief PA at Forsyth Street Orthopaedics in Macon, Ga., assistant team physician for Mercer University athletics, and a clinical preceptor in orthopedics in the Mercer University PA program. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: Hank
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heard
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kelham
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D011312:Pressure; D011379:Prognosis; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000033:anatomy & histology