Objective: The only known effective treatment for acute compartment syndrome is fasciotomy. Our aim is to present a long-term analysis of the clinical problems encountered by patients who underwent fasciotomy after suspicion of acute compartment syndrome with a tibial shaft fracture.
Methods: Thirty-three patients who were treated between 2013 and 2017, with at least 4 years of follow-up, and who remained after the exclusion criteria, were included in the study. The total number of operations, total hospitalization time, and return to work time, second and 4th year visual analog scale (VAS) score in the crus area for pain assessment, second and 4th year American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Association scala (AOFAS) score for ankle functionality, second and 4th year knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score, short version (KOOS-PS) score for knee functionality parameters were obtained from the medical records of the patients. Information was added on whether the patients had complaints about the appearance of the fasciotomy area and whether they had changed their clothes for this situation.
Results: The mean time to return to work of the patients was 9.0±2.7 months. A significant difference was observed between the VAS and AOFAS scores of the patients in the 2nd year compared to the fourth year (<0.001, <0.001). Postoperative 4th year VAS, AOFAS and KOOS-PS scores of patients who developed pseudoarthrosis did not differ significantly from those of other patients (p=0.41, p=0.51, p=0.62).
Conclusion: The coexistence of tibial shaft fracture and fasciotomy can clinical cause problems affecting the social life of patients. It appears that clinical and functional scores are affected more significantly in the short term. We believe that patients should be informed about these issues at the beginning of treatment.