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Mobility/Tissue: Compartment Syndrome - Coggle Diagram
Mobility/Tissue: Compartment Syndrome
Pathophysiology/Etiology
Etiology: Fracture
Injury increases capillary permeability and fluid accumulation, increasing pressure in the tissue. Inflammatory response to the site of damage.
Tissue pressure affects blood flow through compartment. Arterial blood pressure decreases while venous pressure increases due to blockage in the space. Since blood is unable to move through tissue, this causes further swelling and edema within compartments containing muscle, bone, and nerves.
Fascia compartments are unable to stretch to accommodate the increased pressure, causing unrelieved swelling that impairs nerve and blood flow through the compartment.
Increased vascular resistance and decreased blood flow to the tissue causes tissue ischemia and cell death from lack of oxygen. Release of cellular contents further increases compartment pressure.
Continued unrelieved pressure and hypoxia at site of injury causes permanent nerve death and tissue injury.
Diagnostics/Labs
Pressure meter to determine pressure in compartment
Xray of affected site
Physical exam
Complications
Amputation of affected extremity
Infection, Sepsis
Kidney failure
Collaborative Treatment
Surgery to relieve pressure in the compartment (fasciotomy)
Loosen or remove restrictive items to promote blood flow
Bivalvement of the cast based on provider's orders
Maintain extremity at heart level, not above
Perform frequent neurovascular assessments
Alert the provider to patient symptoms
Symptoms
Pain disproportional to injury
Poikilothermia
Pallor
Parasthesia
Lack of pulses
Paralysis
Risk Factors
Burns & Frostbite
Fractures & Trauma
Use of casts or traction
Hypotension & Hypoxia