Snapshot A 21-year-old, previously healthy man presents for evaluation of a painful left leg approximately 5 hours after his leg got caught between closing elevator doors. He did not have pain immediately after the leg trauma. However, he currently has 10/10 pain. Physical exam reveals pain with dorsiflexion of his left foot and tenderness in his calf. Posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis pulses are present bilaterally. The surgical service is consulted immediately for urgent fasciotomy of his left foot. Introduction Clinical definition login to view 1 more bullet Epidemiology Location login to view 6 more bullets Risk factors login to view 3 more bullets Etiology The most common cause is a fracture login to view 1 more bullet Soft tissue injury Circumferential burns Crush injuries Constrictive dressing (e.g., splints, casts, or poor surgical positioning) Penetrating wounds Pathogenesis login to view 6 more bullets Presentation Symptoms login to view 4 more bullets Physical exam login to view 13 more bullets Imaging Radiography login to view 2 more bullets Studies Compartment pressure measurement login to view 4 more bullets Making the diagnosis login to view 4 more bullets Differential Cellulitis login to view 2 more bullets Rhabdomyolysis login to view 2 more bullets Treatment Management approach login to view 2 more bullets Conservative login to view 9 more bullets Operative login to view 4 more bullets Complications Volkmann contracture login to view 1 more bullet Acute kidney injury Prognosis Higher chance of regaining function of the affected limb if a fasciotomy is performed within 12 hours