Compartment syndrome following forearm fracture in children.

Six cases of acute compartment syndrome of the forearm following displaced fractures of the distal radius and ulna are presented. In children the diagnosis can be difficult to make, and can be helped by the use of compartment pressure measurements. Children with this type of fracture are at risk of developing this complication, and careful observation and assessment following injury is recommended. The use of early decompression has given better results in this younger age group than that reported in adults.