Complications

Complication
Timeframe
Likelihood
short term
medium

If delayed diagnosis leads to significant muscle necrosis, amputation may need to be considered.[42]​ This is best done in a staged procedure after multidisciplinary consensus and discussion with the patient. The amputation rate after compartment syndrome is 5.7% to 12.9%.[43][44][45]

long term
medium

Well-documented symptom in patients who have undergone amputation.

variable
high

Rhabdomyolysis may result from the muscle necrosis secondary to compartment syndrome.[7]​ The released myoglobin, which is a breakdown product of muscle cell lysis, is nephrotoxic and can lead to acute renal failure.[7]​ Because the cytokine release associated with rhabdomyolysis causes swelling, it can also precipitate and worsen compartment syndrome.[7]

Acute renal failure

variable
medium

Paraesthesia is an early indicator of hypoxia to nerve tissue within a compartment.[17]​[18]​​​ Peripheral nerve tissue is more sensitive to an ischaemic event than muscle, with nerve function ceasing after 75 minutes of total ischaemia.[46]

variable
medium

Aggressive wound care is necessary for any necrotic tissue to be recognised in a timely fashion and debrided. If not, the fasciotomy wound can get infected and lead to systemic complications.

variable
medium

Depending on which muscle group has been affected, motor deficits can occur. In the leg, if compartment syndrome remains untreated, foot drop may develop.[47]

variable
medium

Can present secondary to extremity loss.

variable
low

Recognised complication of compartment syndrome of the forearm. Muscle fibrosis leads to decreased hand and wrist motion, diminished strength, and clawing of the fingers.[17]

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