Subtype

Acute compartment syndrome may occur in any enclosed fascial compartment. It most commonly occurs in the lower legs and arms but the feet, hand, thighs, and gluteal region may also be affected.

• Prevalence: most common type of ACS

• Etiology

  • Usually due to trauma to the anterior compartment of the leg (e.g., tibial fracture)

• Clinical features

  • Often involves injury to the deep peroneal (fibular) nerve

    • Pain: with passive flexion of the toe

    • Motor: limited ankle dorsiflexion, inversion, eversion and toe extension

    • Sensory: loss of sensation/paresthesia in the deep peroneal nerve territory

  • See also “Clinical features of acute compartment syndrome.”

• Treatment: fasciotomy