About this topic
A compartment is a group of muscles. There are also nerves and blood vessels in each compartment. The compartments have a thick band of tissue around them. This is the fascia. It is very tough and does not stretch. ‚
With acute compartment syndrome, there is too much pressure in a compartment. It is very painful and may happen quickly. Muscles, nerves, or blood vessels may be trapped. This can cause a decrease in blood flow to these structures. These signs may get worse quickly and become serious if not treated right away. An increase in pressure most often happens after an injury. It may also happen if a bandage or cast is on too tight. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages.
- When you may take a bath or shower.
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds.
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving.
- Wash your hands before touching or cleaning your wound.
- If you had surgery on your arm or leg, prop it on pillows. Try to keep it raised above your heart to help lower swelling.
- Do not put compressive bandages over the cut site. This may cause acute compartment syndrome to return.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
- Your doctor may have you see a rehab specialist.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
Will physical activity be limited?
- You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
What problems could happen?
- Nerve damage
- Muscle damage
- Scarring
- Infection
- Loss of affected limb
- Kidney failure
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
There may be no way to prevent this problem. Finding the condition early may help prevent some of the problems. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Signs of compartment syndrome. These include pale skin, loss of sensation, very bad pain that gets worse, weakness.
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever; swelling, redness, or drainage from my wound; or the skin is pale and has less sensation.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00204 ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/compartment-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚