Critical pressure increase within a confined compartmental space.

Any fascial compartment can be affected, however the most common sites affected are in the leg, thigh, forearm, foot, hand and buttock.

• Compartment Syndrome: Inflammation → Increase in osteofascial compartment pressure → Muscle ischemia & necrosis. - Trauma, bleeds, insect bites, etc.
• Crush Syndrome: continuous pressure on large muscles (Road traffic accidents). External pressure → necrosis → Inflam.

Aetiology

• high-energy trauma
• crush injuries
• fractures that cause vascular injury.
• iatrogenic vascular injury
• tight casts or splints
• deep vein thrombosis
• post-reperfusion swelling.

Pathophysiology

• Fascial compartments are closed and cannot be distended. Fluid that is deposited therein will cause an increase in the intra-compartmental pressure
• capillary compression