[kiddienurse_1]

How long after the injury does compartment syndrome develop? Any tips on assessment of children with fractures to detect compartment syndrome?

[leetraumarn]

compartment syndrome can develope wihtin the golden hour after injury and can be seen as late as 24 hours after injury.. it all depends on the type and severity of the injury.

[ClariceS]

I'm not a pedi nurse so my answer is based on adult ortho experience. Look for tight swelling in the affected extremity and decreased ability to palpate pulses. Also look for symptoms of increasing uncontrollable pain, regardless of analgesics. If we ever suspect that compartment syndrome is a possibility or is developing, we place continuous pulse oximetry to a toe or finger of the affected extremity. The O2 sats will be lower in that extremity than other extremities if compartment syndrome is developing.

[fergus51]

We had to learn 5 p's and one c to look for below the injury.
Coolness
Pain
Parestesia (tingling)
Pallor
Pulses (weak or absent)
Paralysis
It made it easier to remember.