[Compartment syndrome in upper arm in anticoagulant therapy after minor trauma]

Compartment syndrome can be a complication of warfarin treatment after a minor trauma. We report a case of an elderly woman who had an uncontrolled, high Internationalised Normalized Ratio (INR) level and had incurred a large haematoma on the left upper arm after a fall. After two days, the patient developed a massive oedema and clinical compartment syndrome. It is essential to be aware of symptoms and signs of compartment ischaemia, as early fasciotomy can prevent late complications such as muscle necrosis and contracture or at worst amputation. The patient should be hospitalized for observation for compartment syndrome and control of the INR level.