title: Radiographic Predictors of Compartment Syndrome Occurring After Tibial Fracture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Compartment syndrome (CS) is a potentially devastating injury associated with tibial fractures. Few data exist regarding radiographic indicators of CS. We hypothesized that radiographic signs are associated with development of CS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level I trauma center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive series of adult patients with tibial fractures with (n = 56) and without (n = 922) CS.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AO/OTA fracture classification, Schatzker type, fracture length, fibular fracture, CS diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The odds of CS increased by 1.67 per 10% increase in the ratio of fracture length to tibial length when considering all fractures. CS was most likely to occur with plateau fractures at 12% (shaft fractures, 3%; pilon fractures, 2%). Schatzker VI fractures were more likely to develop CS than any other Schatzker type. Fibular fracture was predictive of CS with plateau fractures only. Segmental fractures (AO/OTA type 42-C2) were not more likely to develop CS than other shaft fractures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several objective and easily reproducible radiographic indicators should raise suspicion for CS. CS was more likely in plateau fractures, especially when fracture length was >20% of the tibial length, in the presence of fibular fracture, and classified as Schatzker VI. Conversely, segmental tibial shaft fractures were not more likely than other shaft fractures to develop CS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Allmon
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Greenwell
authors.forename: Ebrahim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paryavi
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dubina
authors.forename: Robert V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: OʼToole
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000868:Anterior Compartment Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012372:ROC Curve; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D014193:Trauma Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome