title: Clinical review: Volkmann's ischaemic contracture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Volkmann's ischaemic contracture is a devastating condition with serious motor and sensory functional implications for the affected limb. This clinical review outlines acute compartment syndrome and Volkmann's ischaemic contracture, their presentation, evolution and current management.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This up-to-date clinical review is aimed at both specialist and non-specialist healthcare professionals who can play a key role in the early recognition of signs and symptoms to allow prevention of the condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  No Cochrane reviews are currently available regarding Volkmann's ischaemic contracture. Medline, EMBASE and Scopus databases were searched using the MeSH terms 'Volkmann's ischaemic/ischemic contracture' and 'compartment syndrome'. Current guidelines were referred to.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevention is essential regarding Volkmann's ischaemic contracture. This can be achieved through careful observation of patients sustaining high-risk extremity injuries, notably, children with supracondylar fractures of the humerus, and immediate decompression if signs and symptoms of a compartment syndrome are present. Increased awareness amongst doctors of compartment syndrome is fundamental and will allow early recognition, clinical diagnosis and subsequent fasciotomy.
authors.affiliation: University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3BX, UK. d.pettitt@liv.ac.uk.|Whiston Hospital, The Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust, Alder Hey, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. d.pettitt@liv.ac.uk.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Pettitt
authors.affiliation: Whiston Hospital, The Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust, Alder Hey, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McArthur
keywords: Compartment syndrome; Plastic and reconstructive surgery; Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture
references.citation: J Hand Surg Br. 2001 Aug;26(4):283-96
references.pmid: 11469828
references.citation: ANZ J Surg. 2010 Mar;80(3):151-6
references.pmid: 20575916
references.citation: J Pediatr Orthop. 2010 Jan-Feb;30(1):50-6
references.pmid: 20032742
references.citation: Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004 Sep 1;114(3):697-705
references.pmid: 15318048
references.citation: Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2007 Oct;33(5):539-44
references.pmid: 26814939
references.citation: Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2007 Dec;33(6):584-8
references.pmid: 26815085
references.citation: J Pediatr Orthop. 1995 Jan-Feb;15(1):47-52
references.pmid: 7883927
references.citation: J Orthop Trauma. 1990;4(1):25-9
references.pmid: 2313426
references.citation: J Hand Surg Br. 1989 Feb;14 (1):49-52
references.pmid: 2926223
references.citation: Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1956 Sep;103(3):353-61
references.pmid: 13360642
references.citation: Injury. 2001 Jun;32(5):415-21
references.pmid: 11382429
references.citation: J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2000 Mar;82(2):200-3
references.pmid: 10755426
references.citation: J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008 May;90(5):1121-32
references.pmid: 18451407
references.citation: J Pediatr Orthop. 1999 May-Jun;19(3):344-50
references.pmid: 10344317
references.citation: J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1975 Oct;57(7):925-9
references.pmid: 1184641
references.citation: J Hand Surg Br. 1985 Oct;10(3):401-3
references.pmid: 4078477
references.citation: Proc Staff Meet Mayo Clin. 1963 Mar 27;38:130-6
references.pmid: 13981767
references.citation: J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1996 Jan;78(1):99-104
references.pmid: 8898137
references.citation: Hand Clin. 1998 Aug;14(3):483-97, x
references.pmid: 9742427
references.citation: J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1988 Jun;70(5):641-50
references.pmid: 3392056
references.citation: Microsurgery. 1991;12(5):341-5
references.pmid: 1770863
references.citation: Ann Surg. 1909 Mar;49(3):330-70
references.pmid: 17862315
references.citation: Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1975 Nov-Dec;(113):95-102
references.pmid: 1192681
references.citation: Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2007 Dec;33(6):589-99
references.pmid: 26815086
references.citation: Plast Reconstr Surg. 1996 Nov;98(6):1023-31; discussion 1032-3
references.pmid: 8911472
references.citation: J Orthop Trauma. 1993;7(1):15-22
references.pmid: 8433194