A historical review of compartment syndrome and Volkmann's ischemic contracture

M Trice1, C W Colwell

  • 1Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, California, USA.

Hand Clinics
|September 22, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Compartment syndrome, a condition recognized since the 1800s, has seen significant advancements in understanding its cause, diagnosis, and treatment. Modern treatment focuses on relieving intracompartment pressure to prevent contractures.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Trauma Surgery
  • Vascular Surgery

Background:

  • Compartment syndrome has been a recognized clinical entity since the mid-nineteenth century.
  • Over a century of research and clinical observation has deepened the understanding of this complex condition.
  • Clinician contributions have established current perspectives on pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.

Observation:

  • Volkmann's early work over 100 years ago identified increased "pressure" as a potential cause.
  • Clinical observations have been pivotal in understanding the disease process.
  • The evolution of treatment strategies is based on these observations.

Findings:

  • The pathogenesis of compartment syndrome is complex and has been extensively studied.
  • Diagnosis has improved through dedicated clinical efforts.
  • Treatment strategies have evolved significantly over the past century.

Implications:

  • Current treatment concepts aim to prevent contractures by managing increased intracompartment pressure.
  • The understanding of compartment syndrome continues to evolve through ongoing research.
  • Effective management relies on a thorough grasp of its pathophysiology and timely intervention.

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