Compartment Syndrome Assignment PDF

Running head: COMPARTMENT SYNDROME
COMPARTMENT SYNDROME
Name of the Student
Name of the university
Author’s note

COMPARTMENT SYNDROME1
Case study 2
Leigh Richards
The case study shows that Leigh’s daughter does not understand about the
pathophysiology of compartment syndrome. In order to understand the pathophysiology of
compartment syndrome it is first important to understand the clinical manifestations and the
definition of compartment syndrome. This report gives a vivid account of the pathophysiology of
compartment symptoms along with the linkage of the symptoms with the case study
Pathophysiology of the illness presented in the case study
Acute compartment syndrome is caused when the circulation of the blood is hampered
due to an increased pressure in a limited space and hence the function of the tissue is
compromised, causing tissue ischemia, nerve damage and necrosis (Lawendy 2014).
In order to understand the pathophysiology of compartment syndrome it is important to
understand the anatomy. Compartment are the groupings of the muscles and the tissues are
covered with the help of a membrane called the fascia and all the compartments consists of a
major nerve and also the blood vessels (Lawendy 2014). The compartment syndrome occurs
when swelling occurs within these compartments, which can be referred to an augmentation of
the interstitial pressure within a closed osseofacial compartment causing a microvascular

COMPARTMENT SYNDROME2
conciliation (Mabvuure et al. 2012). It the condition persists or there is a delay in the diagnosis,
then this can affect the future quality of the life. Some of the common site where the
compartment syndrome occurs is the lower leg. The anterior compartment is the affected most
frequently followed by the lateral compartment and the posterior compartment. An increase in
the volume of the compartments can increase due to bleeding, intravenous fluid or due to
ischemic swelling. Paik et al. (2013) have stated that compartment syndrome can also occur in
the two compartment of the forearm. According to Willis (2012) unless the pressure is removed
completely permanent necrosis of the tissues and disability can occur. The compartment
syndrome can occur due to a fracture, a bruised muscle, a reestablished blood flow after a
blocked circulation. It can also occur after an injured blood vessel is blocked for a long time.
Lying in a position for a long time can also block the circulation of the blood within that
particular area. Use of anabolic steroid can also result in compartment syndrome. Tight bandages
and castes during a fracture can constrict blood flow and can initiate compartment syndrome.
Fasciotomy remains the only effective treatment for decompressing the muscles. There is a wide
cascade of the cellular and the molecular event that leads to compartment syndrome with an
interplay between the interstitial surface and the capillary membrane in combination with the
activation of the neutrophil and the hemodilution. The abdominal compartment syndrome is
mainly caused due to the capillary leak resulting in the extravasation of the capillary fluid in to
the massive bowel wall edema and interstitium.
As stated by Willis (2012), the compartmental size reduction can be brought about by
several ways. The initial traumatic, surgical, hemorrhagic or vascular injuries stimulates the
inflammatory reactions.