Prognosis
The prognosis depends strongly on the extent to which the compartment syndrome was present and how early the therapy was administered. If the increase in pressure is corrected quickly so that blood circulation is permanently ensured, the prognosis is good. Functional limitations of the musculature and sensitivity disorders are a bad sign and indicate that damage to the vascular and nerve tracts has begun.
However, even in these cases the functions can often be fully restored. Dead areas, so-called “necroses”, cannot recover. If there is a prolonged lack of blood supply, the muscle tissue can become necrotic.
The necroses must then be surgically removed; in cases of particularly pronounced necroses, the entire area must be amputated. This represents the extreme case of compartment syndrome in the lower leg.
