Isolated Compartment Syndrome Research Articles

A Rare Case of Atraumatic Unilateral Isolated Compartment Syndrome of the Peroneal Compartment Leading to Common Peroneal Nerve Palsy

Acute Compartment syndrome (ACS) is an orthopaedic surgical emergency with very poor prognosis when left untreated. The majority of cases are preceded by trauma, but importantly there is a small percentage of patients presenting with non-traumatic causes. Although rare with only two other case reports describing non-traumatic, spontaneous compartment syndrome of the peroneal compartment, the complications are equally devastating. We report a 67-year-old female with a history of Factor V Leiden, pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). She was seen by orthopaedic surgery six weeks after acute onset right leg pain with associated foot-drop. Her symptoms were initially managed by a medical team as she had no history of trauma and no fractures were evident on plain radiographs. This was on a background of severe bilateral knee osteoarthritis, chronic bilateral lower leg pain and neurogenic claudication for the preceding six months. Given her atypical presentation with confounding comorbidities, she was admitted under the medical team for further investigations instead of urgent fasciotomy. As orthopaedics was not involved in the acute phase of her symptoms, a non-surgical approach was taken. MRI right knee and calf six weeks after onset of symptoms were suggestive of sequela of compartment syndrome isolated to the peroneal compartment. This scan showed myonecrosis in this compartment as well as denervation myopathy of the anterior compartment. Over the next twelve months, there was resolution of leg pain and gradual progression of a positive tinel’s sign from the fibular head to anterior shin with associated return of some ankle range of movement and power. Given the atraumatic presentation and patient risk factors, we believe she suffered a venous thrombotic event at the popliteal trifurcation leading to a subacute compartment syndrome of the peroneal compartment. Swelling of the compartment led to compression of the deep peroneal nerve, causing denervation of the anterior compartment. This is of interest given the rarity of such presentations, and will serve as a timely reminder for non-traumatic causes of ACS. Keywords: Compartment syndrome, non-traumatic, Factor V Leiden, common peroneal nerve palsy.

Compartments of the foot: topographic anatomy

Recent publications have renewed the debate regarding the number of foot compartments. There is also no consensus regarding allocation of individual muscles and communication between compartments. The current study examines the anatomic topography of the foot compartments anew using 32 injections of epoxy-resin and subsequent sheet plastination in 12 cadaveric foot specimens. Six compartments were identified: dorsal, medial, lateral, superficial central, deep forefoot, and deep hindfoot compartments. Communication was evident between the deep hindfoot compartment and the superficial central and deep central forefoot compartments. In the hindfoot, the neurovascular bundles were located in separate tissue sheaths between the central hindfoot compartment and the medial compartment. In the forefoot, the medial and lateral bundles entered the deep central forefoot compartment. The deep central hindfoot compartment housed the quadratus plantae muscle, and after calcaneus fracture could develop an isolated compartment syndrome.

Isolated Compartment Syndrome of the Extensor Digitorum Communis: A Case Report

Anatomically, the forearm has been shown to have a superficial and deep volar compartment, a pronator quadratus compartment [3], a dorsal compartment, and a compartment containing the mobile wad [1]. There are no reports in the literature of the EDC presenting with an isolated compartment syndrome without involving the other muscles in the dorsal compartment.

Isolated compartment syndrome of the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle

Isolated compartment syndrome of the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle

Isolated compartment syndrome of the pronator quadratus compartment: a case report

We present a case of compartment syndrome that involves the pronator quadratus space but does not affect any of the other forearm compartments. Symptoms consisted of pain out of proportion to examination findings, splinting of the forearm in a 30° pronated position, and severe pain with passive supination. Diagnosis was confirmed with pressure measurements of all forearm compartments at the time of surgery. Symptoms resolved promptly with isolated release of the pronator quadratus compartment with concomitant reduction in compartment pressure in that one compartment.

Isolated compartment syndrome of the tibialis anterior muscle

Isolated compartment syndrome of the tibialis anterior muscle

Isolated Compartment Syndrome of the Calcaneal Compartment Secondary to Minimal Incision Surgery

Isolated Compartment Syndrome of the Calcaneal Compartment Secondary to Minimal Incision Surgery