Delay in diagnosis and treatment can result in permanent and severe disability. Crush injury is associated with severe trauma and most commonly occur in multiple casualty disasters, such as bombings, earthquakes, building collapse, train accidents and mining accidents. It is the result of prolonged compression or pressure on various parts or all of the human body. Crush injuries may result in fatal injury or severe metabolic abnormalities that may result in death. Careful monitoring of these patients is essential.
Compartment syndrome is usually due to a crush injury and is a surgical emergency.
It occurs most commonly in the forearm and leg, gluteal region, thigh, and lumbar paraspinous muscles. Compartment syndrome may result in ischemic swelling, muscle infarction, nerve injury and permanent loss of extremity function. Maintain universal blood and body fluid precautions. Maintain an open airway and assist ventilations as needed. Assume spinal injury when appropriate and treat accordingly.