CONCURRENT COMPARTMENT SYNDROMES OF THE FOOT AND LEG

We reviewed the case summaries of eight patients who developed concurr ent compartment syndromes of the foot and leg after trauma. Patients w ith multiple fractures of the lower extremities, particularly the tibi a, femur, and foot, may develop this disorder. The obvious causes of t he concurrent syndromes, concurrent fractures and generalized limb isc hemia, were seen only in two patients. The communication between the c ompartments of the foot and leg may be an additional causative factor. Delayed fasciotomy resulted in muscle necrosis and/or tibial nerve dy sfunction. Suspected cases should have the diagnosis established by ca theterization of the involved compartments. Prompt fasciotomies of the foot and leg should be performed if the pressures are significantly e levated.