Abstract
Acute compartment syndrome is uncommon, but it can be a limb-threatening condition if not treated1,2. The outcome of compartment syndrome varies from complete recovery3-7 to permanent impairment1,8,9, depending on the extent of soft-tissue injury, which in turn depends on the magnitude and duration of increased intracompartmental pressure. The potentially disabling sequelae following this event make compartment syndrome a serious and urgent orthopaedic concern. Acute compartment syndrome in the arm, defined as the portion of the upper extremity above the elbow, is rare and is usually caused by injury2,3. We are aware of three reports of isolated arm compartment syndrome developing from either a noninvasive blood pressure monitoring device1,4 or from a vitamin B12 injection6, but, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of arm compartment syndrome developing from venipuncture. Additionally, anticoagulation is a risk factor for the development of compartment syndrome2,3. However, reported cases of compartment syndrome after anticoagulation involve a traumatic injury3,5,7,8, and we are not aware of any reported cases of compartment syndrome caused by venipuncture in anticoagulated patients. We report a case of compartment syndrome of the anterior brachium that developed in an anticoagulated patient after venipuncture and without traumatic injury. The patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and she provided consent. A seventy-three-year-old woman presented to the emergency department (ED) with symptoms of excruciating and worsening pain with swelling in the dominant, right upper arm, with numbness and tingling extending into the hand. She stated that …
Published Version
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