A rare cause of acute compartment syndrome in the thigh: a case report

Abstract

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is an orthopaedic emergency that requires urgent fasciotomy and decompression to avoid significant morbidity. It is most commonly caused by a fracture or crush injury. We present a case of a patient who developed ACS of the posterior compartment of the thigh secondary to a low energy fall and avulsion of sclerotic arterioles. There was no fracture and the patient was not anti-coagulated. They had fasciotomy and embolization of responsible vessels. This case demonstrates the need for high clinical suspicion needed for ACS and the morbidity associated with a delayed fasciotomy. A literature research demonstrated no case reports of a patient developing ACS with no fracture, no crush injury and no history of anti-coagulation.