Clinical orthopaedics and related research
-
Twenty-six patients with suspected forearm compartment syndromes were evaluated clinically and by intracompartmental pressure determinations. The most reliable physical findings indicating a forearm compartment syndrome were marked pain on passive digital extension and reduced hand sensibility or paresthesias. ⋯ A curvilinear volar incision and, when indicated, a straight dorsal incision provided adequate decompression in the ten operatively treated patients. Postfasciotomy pressure determinations were helpful in assessing the adequacy of volar and dorsal decompression.