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 ‘p’ rule of compartment syndrome (pain, pallor, paraesthesia and pain with passive stretch).
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