Treatment of Compartment Syndrome
Treatment of compartment syndrome depends on whether the condition is acute or chronic, with the urgency and method of intervention varying significantly. Acute compartment syndrome requires immediate surgical intervention to prevent permanent damage, while chronic cases may be managed conservatively or electively addressed through surgery.
Acute Compartment Syndrome Treatment
This is a surgical emergency. The only effective treatment is fasciotomy, a procedure in which the surgeon makes incisions through the fascia to relieve pressure within the muscle compartment. This:
Restores blood flow
Prevents further muscle and nerve injury
Allows swelling to subside
The wounds are often left open for 48–72 hours to prevent recurrence of pressure build-up. Skin grafting may be needed to close the wound once swelling reduces.
Supportive care includes:
Fluid resuscitation to maintain circulation
Pain control
Monitoring for complications like infection or kidney damage
Delay in treatment beyond six hours can lead to irreversible tissue death, requiring limb amputation or resulting in life-threatening systemic complications.
Chronic Compartment Syndrome Treatment
Initial treatment involves conservative strategies such as:
Activity modification
Physical therapy
Anti-inflammatory medications
Orthotics or footwear adjustments
When other treatments fail, elective fasciotomy is an option. The surgery is less urgent, well tolerated, and enables most patients to resume sports or activities post-recovery.
Post-Treatment Recovery | Treatment of Compartment Syndrome
After fasciotomy, patients usually require physiotherapy to regain strength and mobility. Pain and swelling subside gradually, and most people return to normal function within a few weeks to months, depending on severity.
To summarise, treatment must be timely and appropriate. While chronic cases allow time for conservative measures, acute syndrome demands rapid surgical intervention to preserve tissue and function.
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