Compartment syndrome

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

Compartment syndrome refers to the muscle compartments, and is a situation where there is sudden and dangerously increased fluid pressure within a confined muscle region.

Compartment syndrome is a medical emergency

A sudden pressure increase within an enclosed anatomical area in a limb may lead to failure of blood supply to the muscles there, with potential death of the muscles.

Note the four ā€˜p’ rule of compartment syndrome (pain, pallor, paraesthesia and pain with passive stretch).