A colonel in the United States Air Force (Reserve) in Washington, Dr. Jay Johannigman draws over four decades of experience serving in military and civilian medical environments. Also a researcher, Dr. Jay Johannigman has written or co-written over 90 scientific publications, including “The effect of early vs. late fasciotomy in the management of extremity trauma.”
An emergency surgical procedure, fasciotomy is done to relieve compacted pressure in injured muscle tissue of patients suffering from compartment syndrome. When pressure accumulates in non-compliant fascia enwrapped bundles of muscle, the muscles get irritated and associated nerves may die as a result of compression. Although compartment syndrome most commonly occurs in the leg and forearm, this type of injury can happen in any fascia enclosed muscle compartments, which are also present in the foot, hand, thigh, or buttock. Fasciotomy is the gold standard treatment for a type of compartment syndrome called “acute compartment syndrome,” while the other type of compartment syndrome, “chronic compartment syndrome,” necessitates the surgery only in rare cases.
Often a direct result of fractures, high energy traumas, crush injuries, circumferential burns, or very tight orthopedic devices (such as a plaster cast), acute compartment syndrome results in pain from irritation and requires immediate fasciotomy. If treatment is delayed, the patient can suffer debilitating complications like muscle death or shortening. This complication can cause permanent limitation of residual motion and loss of sensation in affected parts of the patient's extremities. In rare cases, acute compartment syndrome results from the strenuous engagement of muscles.
Chronic compartment syndrome is caused by overuse of a muscle, which makes it common among military personnel, runners, rowers, and weightlifters. Symptoms are irritation and localized swelling of muscle tissue. Symptoms often resolve with rest. Surgery is only indicated if the condition progresses to an acute limb-threatening situation.
An emergency surgical procedure, fasciotomy is done to relieve compacted pressure in injured muscle tissue of patients suffering from compartment syndrome. When pressure accumulates in non-compliant fascia enwrapped bundles of muscle, the muscles get irritated and associated nerves may die as a result of compression. Although compartment syndrome most commonly occurs in the leg and forearm, this type of injury can happen in any fascia enclosed muscle compartments, which are also present in the foot, hand, thigh, or buttock. Fasciotomy is the gold standard treatment for a type of compartment syndrome called “acute compartment syndrome,” while the other type of compartment syndrome, “chronic compartment syndrome,” necessitates the surgery only in rare cases.
Often a direct result of fractures, high energy traumas, crush injuries, circumferential burns, or very tight orthopedic devices (such as a plaster cast), acute compartment syndrome results in pain from irritation and requires immediate fasciotomy. If treatment is delayed, the patient can suffer debilitating complications like muscle death or shortening. This complication can cause permanent limitation of residual motion and loss of sensation in affected parts of the patient's extremities. In rare cases, acute compartment syndrome results from the strenuous engagement of muscles.
Chronic compartment syndrome is caused by overuse of a muscle, which makes it common among military personnel, runners, rowers, and weightlifters. Symptoms are irritation and localized swelling of muscle tissue. Symptoms often resolve with rest. Surgery is only indicated if the condition progresses to an acute limb-threatening situation.
