Compartment syndrome
Compartment syndrome is a painful condition that develops when swelling takes place within an enclosed area (compartment), in which muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and bones in the compartment have no room to expand. Pressure on arteries, veins, and nerves causes extreme pain, slows circulation to the muscles and nerves, and may cause permanent damage to these tissues.
The swelling that causes compartment syndrome may be caused by decreased blood flow, trauma, bleeding, fluid buildup, or other things. Compartment syndrome is a medical emergency. It requires immediate treatment to prevent tissue death and permanent dysfunction.
Occasionally, people involved in a greatly increased level of physical activity—such as long-distance runners or new military recruits—may develop chronic compartment syndrome. With chronic compartment syndrome, symptoms are less sudden, less severe, and often improve with rest.
How can you care for your child who has compartment syndrome?
- Follow the doctor's instructions about activity during your child's healing process. If your child can do mild exercise, slowly increase your child's activity.
- Help your child get rest and sleep.
- Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.
- If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- If your child had surgery, take care of the cuts (incisions) as they heal.
- If your child has stitches, follow any specific instructions you got on how to take care of them. In general, keep the area clean and dry. Follow the doctor's instructions on when your child can get the incision wet.
- If your child has strips of tape on the incision, leave the strips on until the doctor says it is okay to remove them.
- If your child has a splint or a cast, follow the instructions the doctor gives you.
Compartment syndrome: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
- You have severe pain in your toes or fingers, and they have turned dark blue or black in color.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have new or worse pain.
- Your foot or hand is cool or pale or changes color.
- You have tingling or numbness in your hand or foot.
- Your cast or splint feels too tight.
- You have signs of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Redness or swelling in your leg.
- You have signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in the area.
- Red streaks leading from the area.
- Pus draining from the area.
- A fever.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your pain is not getting better.
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