Compartment Syndrome eMedicine PMR

Description: In 1881, Richard von Volkmann reported the effects of ischemia on the soft-tissue components of a limb compartment. The contractures that developed were named after him. Wilson first described the initial case of exertional compartment syndrome in 1912. Mavor, in 1956, first reported a case of chronic compartment syndrome. Since then, various cases of compartment syndrome have been reported in the literature, and pathophysiology and treatment options have been discussed. The incidence of compartment syndrome varies depending on the patient population studied and the etiology of the syndrome. In a group of patients with leg pain, according to Qvarfordt and colleagues, 14% of them were noted to have anterior compartment syndrome.1 Compartment syndrome was seen in 1-9% of leg fractures.
Synonyms and related keywords: exertional compartment syndrome, intracompartmental pressure, compartment pressure
Abraham T Rasul, Jr, MD 2007