Which compartment is most commonly involved in compartment syndrome?

Which compartment is most commonly involved in compartment syndrome?

• A. Anterior compartment of the lower leg
• B. Posterior compartment of the upper arm
• C. Medial compartment of the thigh
• D. Lateral compartment of the leg

Answer: (A)

The anterior compartment of the lower leg is the most commonly involved area in compartment syndrome due to its anatomical and physiological characteristics. The lower leg has four compartments: anterior, lateral, superficial posterior, and deep posterior. The anterior compartment houses important structures such as the tibialis anterior muscle and the deep peroneal nerve. Compartment syndrome occurs when there is increased pressure within a compartment, which can lead to decreased blood flow and potential tissue necrosis. The anterior compartment is particularly susceptible because it has a rigid, confined space within the tight fascia that surrounds it, and any increase in volume—due to bleeding, swelling from trauma, or other causes—can quickly exceed the compartment’s capacity. Moreover, injuries like fractures of the tibia or severe contusions in the lower leg commonly cause bleeding into this compartment, leading to the classic signs of pain, pallor, paresthesia, paralysis, and pulselessness. In contrast, while the other compartments mentioned can also experience compartment syndrome, they are less frequently involved than the anterior compartment of the lower leg. The posterior compartment of the upper arm and the medial compartment of the thigh do not face the same incidence rates, and the lateral compartment of the leg is less commonly associated with the condition due to

The anterior compartment of the lower leg is the most commonly involved area in compartment syndrome due to its anatomical and physiological characteristics. The lower leg has four compartments: anterior, lateral, superficial posterior, and deep posterior. The anterior compartment houses important structures such as the tibialis anterior muscle and the deep peroneal nerve.

Compartment syndrome occurs when there is increased pressure within a compartment, which can lead to decreased blood flow and potential tissue necrosis. The anterior compartment is particularly susceptible because it has a rigid, confined space within the tight fascia that surrounds it, and any increase in volume—due to bleeding, swelling from trauma, or other causes—can quickly exceed the compartment’s capacity.

Moreover, injuries like fractures of the tibia or severe contusions in the lower leg commonly cause bleeding into this compartment, leading to the classic signs of pain, pallor, paresthesia, paralysis, and pulselessness.

In contrast, while the other compartments mentioned can also experience compartment syndrome, they are less frequently involved than the anterior compartment of the lower leg. The posterior compartment of the upper arm and the medial compartment of the thigh do not face the same incidence rates, and the lateral compartment of the leg is less commonly associated with the condition due to