Can skin surface pressure under a cast reveal intracompartmental pressure?

Although monitoring intracompartmental pressure (IP) under a cast is very important, it is not possible to measure it in every patient undergoing cast treatment. This study aims to answer the question of whether skin surface pressure (SSP) under a cast can reveal IP. A plaster cast was applied to a sculpted inflatable forearm model with dorsal and volar compartments. SSP under the cast was measured at five different localizations from both dorsal and volar sides of the model and compared to the corresponding IP. In the second experiment, a posterior tibial compartment syndrome model was created in both limbs of five rabbits. Correlation analysis was performed between IP and SSP under the cast. All of the SSP measurements taken from the dorsal and volar side of the sculpted forearm model correlated with IP. Mean correlation coefficient of the measurements was 0.995 (P = 0.000) (SD 0.002, range 0.992-0.999). SSP and IP correlation analysis in the posterior tibial compartment syndrome model of 10 limbs in five rabbits revealed a high correlation. The mean correlation coefficient was 0.973 (P = 0.000) (SD 0.024, range 0.916-0.997). Measuring the pressure between the skin and cast can monitor IP. SSP monitoring can help the physician, patient or parents in the follow-up of patients undergoing cast treatment.