Transient compartment syndrome of the forearm resulting from venous congestion from a tourniquet.

A case of transient compartment syndrome of the forearm resulting from faulty tourniquet function is described. The patient was followed with serial compartmental pressure measurements. Signs and symptoms subsided within a few hours of limb elevation. Thus, conservative care in the early stages may be therapeutic. Early recognition of tourniquet malfunction, systematic assessment of the source of engorgement, and prompt correction can avoid this post-operative complication.