Acute compartment syndrome signs and symptoms described in medical textbooks

To evaluate the accuracy of commonly accessed medical textbooks in their description of the presenting signs/symptoms of acute compartment syndrome (ACS).

Textbooks in six different specialties were surveyed for information about ACS. Informational content was scored using a 0 to 4 point system.

67 textbooks (36 primary care, 31 specialty) were reviewed. Of the 36 primary care textbooks evaluated, 29 contained no information on ACS. Three of the remaining 7 primary care books provided inaccurate information (43%). Only 3 of the 31 specialty books scored 0. Four of the remaining 28 specialty books provided inaccurate information (14%). Overall, 23 of the 31 specialty books (74%) provided accurate information (score of 3 or 4), compared to only 2 of the 36 primary care books (6%) (p < 0.001).

Some textbooks contain inaccurate information in the diagnosis of acute compartment syndrome, which may delay the diagnosis resulting in irreversible morbidity. In reality, there are only three P's (pain, paresthesia, paresis) which are important.