Limitations of Pressure Measurement

Excerpt

Compartment pressure measurement has been used as an objective adjunct test to assist with the diagnosis and treatment decisions in patients at risk for compartment syndrome. Elevated values, especially when considered in relation to the patient’s diastolic blood pressure, have been used as a surrogate marker for compartment tissue ischemia. Unfortunately there are numerous limitations in the use and interpretation of measured compartment pressures. There is no agreement on a specific pressure value for the diagnosis of compartment syndrome. Measurement inaccuracies are common due to technical errors, and pressures can vary greatly based on the location of the measurement with respect to the fracture location. Therefore, most authors indicate that pressure measurements must be correlated with the clinical situation and physical examination findings.