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 Whenever compartment syndrome is suspected, compartmental pressures should be measured. (Unless, of course, the clinical diagnosis is certain). Please refer to Clinical Findings in the Review of the Compartment Syndrome section of this chapter for further discussion.
No absolute contraindications for the measurement of compartment pressures exist. Because morbidity from failure to diagnose and manage compartment syndrome in a timely manner is tremendous, anyone suspected of having a compartment syndrome should undergo intracompartmental pressure measurements.
The physician should be mindful that thready or absent pulses are indicative of vascular injury and, in this case, vascular studies should be performed. |
