ABSTRACT
Untreated acute compartment syndrome evolves to ischemic contracture of affected tissues. After 4 h of total ischemia, 5% of muscle Þbers become necrotic. After 8 h of ischemia, all muscle Þbers are damaged. The muscle becomes Þbrotic. This leads to loss of joint motion and imbalance of forces acting over the joint. Peripheral nerves may become compressed secondarily by the muscle Þbrosis, which may induce further neuromuscular dysfunction. The limb dysfunction induces disability (decreased activity) and handicap (decreased participation). The aims of the clinical investigation of these patients are to document which muscles and nerves are affected and to what extent the tissues are damaged. The aim of this chapter is to discuss general principles of diagnosis, classiÞcation, and treatment of ischemic muscle contractures. Congenital and nonischemic reasons for contractures such as neuromuscular and inßammatory diseases are not included.
