Compartment syndrome injuries are frequently seen by Michigan personal injury lawyers.A detailed knowledge and understanding of this type ofinjury, treatment for this type of injury, and its affect on the client is essential to achieving the best possible settlement for the injured client.
A compartment syndrome injury frequently arises from trauma, such as a car accident, motorcycle accident, slip and fall accident, bicycle accident, or recreational injury.Depending on the cause of the injury, the injured person may have legal rights to be compensated for his or her injury, including money damages for pain and suffering,disability, medical bills, and lost wages.
Compartment syndrome involves the compression of nerves and blood vessels within an enclosed space. This leads to impaired blood flow and muscle and nerve damage. Swelling leading to compartment syndrome is associated with high-energy trauma, such as from a car accident or crush injury, or surgery. Compartment syndrome may also occur due to tight bandages or casts; with significant swelling, pressure will build up and can cause compartment syndrome. Chronic compartment syndrome can be caused by repetitive activities like running that increase the pressure in a compartment only during that activity. Compartment syndrome is most common in the lower leg and forearm, although it can also occur in the hand, foot, thigh and upper arm. The hallmark symptom of compartment syndrome is severe pain that does not respond to elevation or pain medication. In more advanced cases, there may be decreased sensation, weakness, and paleness of the skin. Typically, severe pain will occur when a muscle running through a compartment is passively moved. For example, when the doctor moves the toes up and down, a patient with compartment syndrome in the foot or lower leg will experience severe pain. The skin overlying the compartment will be tensely swollen and shiny. There will also be pain when the compartment is squeezed. The test that will absolutely diagnose this condition involves directly measuring the pressure in the compartment by inserting a needle attached to a pressure meter into the compartment. When chronic compartment syndrome is suspected, this test must be performed immediately after the activity that causes pain. Treatment for both acute and chronic compartment syndrome is usually surgery. If a cast or bandage is causing the problem, the dressing should be loosened or cut down to relieve the pressure. If the diagnosis of compartment syndrome is made promptly and surgical release performed, the outlook is excellent for recovery of the muscles and nerves inside the compartment. However, the overall prognosis will be determined by the injury leading to the syndrome. If there is a delay in diagnosis, there can be permanent nerve injury and loss of muscle function. This is more common when injured person is unconscious or heavily sedated and incapable of complaining. Complications include permanent injury to nerves and muscles that can dramatically impair function. In more severe cases, limbs may need to be amputated because all the muscles in the compartment have died from lack of oxygen. Do I have a compartment syndrome case? 1-800-606-1717 Contact a Southfield, Michigan, a compartment syndrome injury attorney serving the greater Detroit area.
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