Compartment Syndrome Secondary to Knee Lipohemarthrosis

Division

North Florida

Hospital

Ocala Regional Medical Center

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

8-6-2021

Keywords

lipohemarthrosis, tibial fracture, compartment syndrome, fat-fluid level, fibular fracture, intra-articular fracture, compartment pressure

Disciplines

Cardiovascular Diseases | Emergency Medicine | Musculoskeletal Diseases | Trauma

Abstract

When treating patients presenting with knee trauma or intra-articular fracture, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for lipohemarthrosis. Diagnosis of lipohemarthrosis can be accomplished via visualization of a fat-fluid level. Increased fluid and pressure build-up within the joint space may lead to compartment syndrome, which requires emergency compartment fasciotomy. In this paper, we discuss the importance of identifying lipohemarthrosis in patients presenting with intra-articular fracture, as well as the necessity of frequent patient re-evaluations in order to monitor the onset of compartment syndrome.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

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