Extermity Trauma

Extremity Trauma

Dr. Abdulaziz Alrabiah

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Posterior dislocation

Burn fracture

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Compartment Syndrome

Definition

• Condition in which increased tissue pressure in a muscle compartment results in decreased blood flow.
• Tissue hypoxia
• Muscle, vessels, and nerve impairment
• Can be permanent if cells die

Clinical Signs (6 Ps)

• Remember 6 Ps:
• Pain ($1^{st}$ sign)
• Paresthesia
• Pallor
• Paralysis
• Poikilothermia (Change in temperature)
• Pulselessness ($6^{th}$ sign)

Pressure Thresholds

• Normal inter‑compartmental pressure < 10 mmHg

•  30 mmHg: Compartment syndrome

• Between 10 – 30 mmHg: assess delta pressure
• Delta pressure < 30 mmHg indicates compartment syndrome
• Delta pressure = Diastolic Blood Pressure – inter‑compartmental pressure

60 - 20 = 40  → no compartment syndrome  
40 - 20 = 20  → compartment syndrome