Compartment Syndrome is a serious medical condition that requires immediate recognition and a high degree of suspicion by nurses, ER doctors, internists, and orthopedic specialists alike to prevent catastrophic injury to patients. Missed diagnosis of compartment syndrome can result in permanent nerve damage, amputation, chronic pain from complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) renal failure and even death. Compartment syndrome often… Read More
Failure to Diagnose Compartment Syndrome
Patients frequently visit the Emergency Department with musculoskeletal injuries, including fractures. The standard practice is for the doctors to obtain radiographic images (X-rays), then reduce and immobilize the fracture. If the fracture is fairly simple to reduce, without the need for neurovascular injury, then the patient is generally referred to an orthopedic surgeon, a doctor… Read More