injuries and poisoning
Compartment Syndrome
Diagnosis of Compartment Syndrome
A doctor's evaluation Measuring pressure in the compartment If people who have had an injury have the following symptoms, particularly if the injury was severe or if they have a splint or cast, they should see a doctor immediately: Increasing pain in an immobilized limb Pain when they gently move the fingers or toes of an immobilized limb Numbness in a limb Doctors suspect compartment syndrome based on symptoms. To confirm the diagnosis, they check the pulse in the limb and measure pressure in the compartment. To measure the pressure, they may use a needle with a pressure monitor attached to it. They insert the needle into the compartment of the affected limb, just under the fascia. The monitor records the pressure, and the needle is removed. Or instead of a needle, they may insert a thin flexible tube (catheter) that remains in place so that pressure can be monitored continuously. 