A 22-year-old male presents to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident, complaining of severe pain in his lower leg, which is significantly out of proportion to the apparent injury. On examination, the leg appears swollen and pale, and the patient reports numbness. Which intervention should be prioritized to address the suspected diagnosis of compartment syndrome?
Compartment syndrome is a serious condition where increased pressure within one of the body’s compartments results in insufficient blood supply to tissue within that space. Fasciotomy is the surgical procedure used to relieve this pressure, which is essential to prevent permanent damage to muscles and nerves. Analgesics, while important for pain management, are not curative for compartment syndrome. Reassurance and monitoring are inadequate as they do not address the underlying issue of increasing compartment pressure. A fasciotomy is the definitive therapy required to prevent ischemia and potential necrosis.
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BCEN CEN
Musculoskeletal and Wound Emergencies
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