In the world of medicine today, it seems that everything moves at a snail's pace. We must have authorizations for even the simplest procedures. Waiting times in emergency rooms are lengthy. Operating room times are not easy to obtain unless we use terms like urgent or emergency. Compartment Syndrome, however, represents a situation in which everyone must move along expeditiously, so that a foot and ankle surgeon can attend to the patient.

In the case of a compartment syndrome, diagnosis and treatment must be prompt. Six to twelve hours of limb ischemia resulting from acute compartment syndrome can cause partial or total functional deficits.

Your undivided attention is requested when viewing Dr. Marc D. Dolce's lecture on "Compartment Syndrome - Diagnosis and Treatment".

	When pain is out of proportion to findings seen on the physical exam
	When pain is not relieved by reduction, immobilization or narcotics
	When pain is described as a tightness, dull ache, with associated numbness

Consider compartment syndrome in your differential.

Dr. Dolce reviews the "six p's" associated with compartment syndrome.

The structures, the boundaries and the anatomy of the ten compartments of the foot are described. Dr. Dolce discusses the signs and symptoms associated with both chronic and acute compartment syndrome. He distinguishes between traumatic and non traumatic etiologies associated with this disorder. He also lays out the various treatment options available to the podiatric physician.

Intracompartmental pressure measurements have proven to be the only definitive and reliable way to diagnose compartment syndrome.

One should consider surgical decompression (fasciotomy) if the pressure is greater than 30 mm Hg. Time is at a premium now. Are you ready?

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