We have analysed associated factors in 164 patients with acute compartment
syndrome whom we treated over an eight-year period. In 69% there was an ass
ociated fracture, about half of which were of the tibial shaft. Most patien
ts were men, usually under 35 years of age. Acute compartment syndrome of t
he forearm, with associated fracture of the distal end of the radius, was a
gain seen most commonly in young men, Injury to soft tissues, without fract
ure, was the second most common cause of the syndrome and one-tenth of the
patients had a bleeding disorder or mere taking anticoagulant drugs. We fou
nd that young patients, especially men, were at risk of acute compartment s
yndrome after injury. When treating such injured patients, the diagnosis sh
ould be made early, utilising measurements of tissue pressure.