Abstract
The acute compartment syndrome of the forearm is rare and may therefore be easily missed. Although many clinicians will not see such a patient during their entire career, profound knowledge of the symptoms is required to recognize the syndrome in time. Besides immediate identification of the compartment syndrome early surgical treatment is mandatory to avoid its devastating consequences. Then the functional results can be good, but if the correct diagnosis is missed a Volkmann's ischemic contracture will invariably develop. This paper aims to attend the reader to this diagnostic pitfall. Two patients with a compartment syndrome of the forearm are described to illustrate both ends of this diagnostic challenge. Pathophysiological, anatomical and clinical aspects, classification and therapeutic modalities are reviewed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
