Compartment syndrome
caused by negligence
This is a
condition that is characterised by increased pressure within a muscle
compartment which causes a decrease in the blood supply to that
compartment.
As the blood
supply drops, the muscle swells and if left untreated it can cause
permanent damage to the muscles and nerves.
How can
this injury occur?
There are two types of
complaint:
Acute Compartment Syndrome
This
is a medical emergency caused by severe trauma following for example a car
accident, severe crush injury, severe burns or surgical injury. It can
sometimes occur as a result of over tight dressings or plaster cast's
Chronic Compartment Syndrome
This type is caused by overuse of a muscle generally suffered by athletes following
repetitive activities.
The condition is usually easy
for a doctor to identify or diagnose because simple massage or rubbing of
the affected area induces severe pain. This pain will not be responsive to
usual pain killing medication. Other symptoms include swelling or hard
shiny skin over the affected area. The patient may suffer from numbness or
weakness at the site of the injury.
The patient will usually make
a good recovery if the syndrome is identified quickly enough. However left
untreated, the consequences can be serious as the muscles eventually die.
If you feel that you have been
the victim of medical negligence or misdiagnosis regarding this or any
other medical condition - please contact us today for free legal advice.
If you wish to make an enquiry
about this form of medical negligence, please contact
us for a discussion.
Why
not make an enquiry today
If you feel that you or a member of
your family have been the victim of such negligence
please contact us immediately for legal advice. You
may be entitled to compensation.
Contact us today by
email or phone
0800 0322210
for immediate legal advice on your
Doctor or Consultant medical negligence claim.
