Epidemiology
The incidence of acute compartment syndrome is difficult to ascertain because concrete diagnostic criteria are elusive, most reports use the incidence of fasciotomy as a surrogate for compartment syndrome, and the syndrome is associated with a diverse range of conditions.[6] The estimated average annual incidence is 0.7 per 100,000 women and 7.3 per 100,000 men.[7][8] The higher incidence in men may reflect the increased likelihood of men being involved in high-energy trauma with resulting fractures, for which the male to female ratio is 13:1.[9] There is an increased risk of acute compartment syndrome in young men aged under 35 years old with tibial fractures.[8]
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