Assessment and diagnosis of acute limb compartment syndrome: A literature review

Clinical observations, together with compartment pressure monitoring, in patients at risk appears to be the best method of diagnosing the condition. Pain out of proportion to the injury and pain on passive muscle stretch are the most effective clinical observation in conscious patients. Paresis/paralysis, parasthesia and pallor may help in diagnosis but are late signs. The sensitivity and specificity of these symptoms in diagnosing ALCS is unclear and the approach to pain assessment is not considered in detail.