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What You Need to Know About Compartment Syndrome

On Behalf of | Dec 15, 2015 | Medical Malpractice

Compartment syndrome is a condition that occurs when a group of muscles or organs come together and form a “compartment.” Fascia, a strong web of tissue, builds up around the walls of the compartments and if an injury or internal bleeding is present, blood or fluid can begin to fill the compartment. This excessive pressure can affect blood flow to and from the tissues. Compartment syndrome is a serious condition and may require an emergency surgical procedure to avoid long-term or even permanent damage.

Compartment syndrome is most likely to develop in the abdomen, arms, and legs of the body. The most common type of compartment syndrome occurs after a bone break in the arm or leg. This is known as acute compartment syndrome and often develops over the course of a few hours to a few days. When a broken bone is the cause, the condition may develop due to the fracture or from the pressure built up by edema or bleeding. Even surgery after the injury can cause compartment syndrome.

Two other types of compartment syndrome can occur, including chronic and abdominal.

Chronic compartment syndrome is often caused by consistent activity such as a vigorous workout routine. It normally occurs in the buttock, lower leg, or thigh and can take days or even weeks to develop.

Abdominal compartment syndrome is often caused by some kind of serious injury or illness. These include, but are not limited to:

If you are experiencing symptoms like deep aches, severe pain, numbness, tightness, swelling, or bruising, it may be because of compartment syndrome. Pain varies by location and type of compartment syndrome. It is important to seek medical attention if you believe that you have compartment syndrome as it can require immediate surgery. Oftentimes, because the symptoms can be confused with other conditions, a medical professional may not correctly diagnose your situation. When this happens, it can be considered medical malpractice.

A misdiagnosis for compartment syndrome can have serious consequences as failure to provide proper treatment can cause permanent damage. It is crucial that the doctor or physician look at all of the warning signs and consider all options for the symptoms.

Medical malpractice claims allow patients to hold their medical professional responsible for any serious injury caused because of their negligence. Medical professionals are expected to uphold a standard of care and it is their duty to make sure they properly diagnose the patient. When they fail in this duty and serious injury or illness occurs, the patient shouldn’t have to live with the mistake of his or her doctor. They may be able to take legal action to help with any expenses they incur regarding this mishap.

In order to reduce the dangers of compartment syndrome, there are specific treatment options available. When a doctor misdiagnosis a patient, these treatments may not be provided and it can leave the injured with further issues.

At Power Rogers, our lawyers understand the dangers of a misdiagnosis. We take the necessary steps to gather details regarding your situation including the symptoms you felt, the tests ran by the doctor or physician, the process to rule out compartment syndrome, and more. We aim to build the strongest case possible to help our clients seek the compensation they deserve for medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, lost earning potential, and more.

We take cases of medical malpractice seriously and we want to make sure that our clients understand their rights. Call us today for your free case evaluation and learn how we may be able to help you.