Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh following minor trauma in a patient on dual anti-platelet therapy

Author: Calabro Lorenzo J   Dick Charles G   Lutz Michael J  

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

ISSN: 1742-6723

Source: Emergency Medicine Australasia, Vol.23, Iss.1, 2011-02, pp. : 95-97

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Abstract

AbstractAcute compartment syndrome of the thigh is a rare surgical emergency. It is usually associated with high energy trauma and concomitant femoral fracture. We present the case of a 54 year old man who developed acute compartment syndrome of the thigh following a low energy traumatic hamstring tear. Background anti-platelet therapy and hospital prescribed anticoagulants were likely contributors to this pathology. We describe these factors and discuss the issues associated with assessment of minor trauma in the anti-coagulated patient.