Fasciotomy: Understanding When It's Necessary

A fasciotomy may be needed for a variety of conditions that cause increased pressure within a muscle compartment, such as:

Compartment syndrome:

- Acute compartment syndrome: This can occur after a sudden injury, such as a crush injury or a fracture, that causes bleeding and swelling within a muscle compartment.

- Chronic compartment syndrome: This is a less common condition that occurs due to repetitive exercise or other activities that cause increased pressure within a muscle compartment.

Burns:

- Deep burns can cause swelling and tissue damage that can lead to compartment syndrome.

Infections:

- Severe infections can cause swelling and inflammation within a muscle compartment.

Blood clots:

- A blood clot in a vein within a muscle compartment can cause compartment syndrome.

Muscle hernias:

- A muscle hernia can occur when a muscle tears and the muscle contents bulge out through the tear. This can cause increased pressure within the muscle compartment.