Thigh compartment syndrome secondary to intertrochanteric hip fracture in a quadriplegic patient: case report.

Compartment syndromes in the thigh are rare and the diagnosis may be difficult in the light of subtle early physical findings in the patient with spinal cord injury. Clinical awareness of the impending compartment syndrome is important to provide timely proper treatment and avoid disabling deformities. A compartment syndrome should not be ignored in the paraplegic, because the potential for late fibrosis and contractures may limit the independence of such patients. Greater awareness and index of suspicion are needed to successfully recognize and promptly treat the compartment syndrome in this patient population.