Hello and welcome to the zero to finals podcast. My name is Tom and in this episode I'm going to be

talking to you about compartment syndrome. And you can find written notes on this topic at

zero to finals.com slash compartment syndrome or in the orthopedic section of the zero definals surgery book.

So let's get straight into it.

Compartment syndrome is where the pressure within the fascial compartment is abnormally elevated,

cutting off the blood flow to the contents of that compartment.

Facial compartments involve muscles, nerves and blood vessels surrounded by fascia.

Fascia is a sheet of strong, fibrous connective tissue that encases the contents of the compartment.

It's not able to stretch or expand.

Acute compartment syndrome is an orthopedic emergency that requires surgery, specifically a fasciotomy,

to relieve the pressure within the compartment and restore blood flow.

Without prompt treatment, tissue necrosis or death and permanent damage can occur.

Compartment syndrome can be classed as acute or chronic.

Most of this section relates to acute compartment syndrome.

Acute compartment syndrome is usually associated with an acute injury where bleeding or

tissue swelling or edema associated with the injury increases the pressure within the compartment.

Let's talk about the presentation.

Acute compartment syndrome most often affects one of the fascial compartments in the leg,

but it can also affect the forearm, feet, thigh and the buttocks.

It usually presents after an acute injury, particularly bone fractures or crush injuries.

Acute compartment syndrome presents with the 5 P's, which stand for pain, which is disproportionate to the underlying injury and worsened by passively stretching the muscles.

Parasthesia, which refers to an abnormal sensation such as burning or pins and needles,

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