Final answer:
Compartment syndrome is a medical emergency often detected through clinical symptoms and pressure measurements. Imaging tests like MRI or CT scans may also locate injuries.
Step-by-step explanation:
Compartment Syndrome Diagnosis and Treatment
If compartment syndrome is suspected, the next steps include clinical assessment and diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of the condition.
The suspicion of compartment syndrome often arises due to symptoms such as pain out of proportion to the injury, pain on passive stretch of the muscles in the compartment, pallor, paresthesia, paralysis, and pulselessness (the '6 Ps').
To diagnose the problem, a doctor may order pressure measurement of the affected compartment, as it is the definitive diagnostic test for compartment syndrome.
Non-invasive imaging tests, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) scanning, might also be used to localize the injury and assess for any other potential issues.
If compartment syndrome is confirmed, the recommended treatment is usually surgical intervention in the form of a fasciotomy to relieve the pressure within the affected compartment.
This is a time-sensitive, emergency procedure to prevent permanent damage to muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.