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What is acute compartment syndrome? — Acute compartment syndrome, or "ACS," is a condition that happens when pressure builds up in a group of muscles. This can cause pain and muscle damage. ACS is an emergency that needs to be treated quickly.
A "compartment" is a group of muscles. Each muscle compartment in the body is surrounded by a strong band of tissue, called "fascia." In ACS, too much pressure builds up in a muscle compartment. This is usually caused by bleeding or a collection of fluid. The build-up of pressure damages the muscles and causes symptoms. ACS happens quickly, usually over a few hours. (The word "acute" means that something happens quickly.)
ACS most commonly happens in the lower leg (calf) or forearm. But it can also happen in the foot, upper leg, or buttock.
What causes ACS? — Different things can cause ACS. Most often, it happens after an injury, such as a broken bone or severe burn. But it can also happen if a cast or bandage is put on too tight.
What are the symptoms of ACS? — Symptoms of ACS usually get worse quickly (over a few hours).
●Pain – Most of the time, the main symptom of ACS is pain that is much worse than expected for your injury. Sometimes, the pain feels like a deep ache or a burning feeling. If you had an injury and your pain suddenly gets much worse, tell your doctor or nurse.
●Later symptoms – If ACS isn't treated right away, it can cause other symptoms in addition to pain. These include numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, or being unable to move certain muscles.
If you have the above symptoms, especially if you recently had an injury, call your doctor or nurse right away. If you do have ACS, it needs to be treated as quickly as possible.
Is there a test for ACS? — Yes. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and do an exam. They can also do tests to check the pressure in your muscle compartment. There are different ways to do this. But in general, it involves putting a thin needle or tube into your muscle. Your doctor might repeat the test over time to see if the pressure has changed.
How is ACS treated? — The main treatment for ACS is a type of surgery called a "fasciotomy." During this surgery, the doctor will make 1 or more cuts in the fascia and muscles. This relieves the abnormal build-up of pressure.
After surgery, the doctor won't close the cuts right away. Instead, they will leave the cuts open and bandage the area loosely. The doctor will do another surgery, usually at least a few days later, to close the cuts.
If ACS isn't treated quickly enough, muscles can die. If this happens, your doctor might need to do an amputation, which is surgery to remove the injured body part. This is why it is so important to get treatment right away if you have ACS.
Patient education: Rhabdomyolysis (The Basics)
Patient education: Skin burns (The Basics)
Patient education: Fractures (The Basics)
Patient education: Caring for your cast (The Basics)
Patient education: Caring for your child's cast (The Basics)
