Key Takeaways
- Failing to diagnose and treat compartment syndrome promptly can lead to serious or permanent injury and may support a Portland medical malpractice claim.
- Compartment syndrome occurs when pressure builds beyond what a compartment of nerves, muscles, and blood vessels can handle, usually in the legs.
- Nearly half of leg cases stem from tibia fractures, while crushed limbs, IV usage, and surgery can also cause it.
- Untreated, it can cause muscle and nerve death requiring amputation, plus kidney failure, sepsis, foot drop, chronic pain, or death.
- Doctors should generally consider testing when pain lasts longer or is worse than expected, and a fasciotomy can relieve the pressure.
In this article
- Failure to Diagnose and Treat Compartment Syndrome
- Causes of Compartment Syndrome
- What Can Happen if Compartment Syndrome Is Left Untreated?
- Is Compartment Syndrome Difficult to Diagnose?
- Compartment Syndrome and Fasciotomy
- Acute Versus Chronic Compartment Syndrome
- How a Portland Compartment Syndrome Lawyer Can Help
Failure to Diagnose and Treat Compartment Syndrome
Compartment syndrome can be at the root of a Portland medical malpractice lawsuit. The human body comprises many different compartments – each compartment containing groupings of nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. We have compartments in our arms, legs, abdomen, and other parts of our body. Compartment syndrome occurs when something generates more pressure than the compartment can handle. This usually occurs in the legs and you may require a Portland compartment syndrome attorney to help you secure compensation for your injury.
Speak to a Portland Medical Malpractice Lawyer for Assistance Today
Causes of Compartment Syndrome
- Serious injury
- Medical procedure
Nearly half of all compartment syndrome cases that affect the legs can be attributed to tibia fractures, but other causes include anything from a limb being crushed to IV usage. In some cases, patients develop compartment syndrome after surgery. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, serious injury and even death can ensue. In such a case, a wrongful death lawyer in Portland can help you seek justice for your lost loved one.
What Can Happen if Compartment Syndrome Is Left Untreated?
If compartment syndrome is not diagnosed accurately and promptly, the patient can sustain serious and even permanent injuries. In the worst-case scenarios, compartment syndrome can lead to total muscle and nerve death in the affected area, necessitating amputation or even causing death.
Some of the other outcomes following untreated compartment syndrome include –
- Kidney damage or failure
- “Rhabdomyolysis” which is the harmful of release of myoglobin into the bloodstream
- Sepsis / SIRS
- Foot drop, a condition characterized by difficulty lifting the toes or front of the foot
- Chronic pain in the affected area
- Loss of feeling in the affected area
“At Paulson Coletti, ‘liberty and justice for all’ is more than just a phrase – it is our mandate. Our team of trial lawyers is driven to pursue justice for the injured, ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.”
Is Compartment Syndrome Difficult to Diagnose?
Compartment syndrome can be difficult to diagnose due to similarity between its side effects and side effects of other conditions. Generally, doctors should consider running diagnostic tests for compartment syndrome if the patient experiences pain in the affected area for longer than normal or to a degree that is greater than expected. If this occurs, doctors can use catheters, needles, or diagnostic imaging to assess pressure levels in the compartment.
Compartment Syndrome and Fasciotomy
If a doctor suspects compartment syndrome, runs diagnostic testing, and finds out that this is the issue, they may recommend a fasciotomy, which is a type of limb-saving surgical procedure. In a fasciotomy, a doctor cuts into the affected compartment in order to relieve the pressure that is causing the excessive pain and nerve damage. Fasciotomies are usually performed in the event of acute CS.
“Most cases settle, but each of our cases is prepared as if it’s going to trial. The insurance companies know it and so do the defense lawyers defending them. That’s why we get such great results for our clients.”
Acute Versus Chronic Compartment Syndrome
Medical malpractice compartment syndrome claims are typically acute cases, as acute CS poses the most severe risk to patients. Chronic compartment syndrome is most common in athletes or those who overuse a particular muscle or limb. Chronic compartment syndrome is easier to catch and treat, because it develops over longer periods, while acute compartment syndrome can happen suddenly.
How a Portland Compartment Syndrome Lawyer Can Help
If you or someone you love developed compartment syndrome that either was not treated or not treated promptly due to failed diagnosis, you may have a medical malpractice claim. Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC is a team of trial lawyers experienced and recognized for success in these types of cases.
Attorney Chuck Paulson was named “Lawyer of the Year” in the practice area of medical malpractice law for plaintiffs, and Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC as a firm was voted to the list of “Best Law Firm” by US News in this practice area as well. We advocate for victims of medical malpractice to secure the financial compensation they deserve.
Wondering if you have a claim? Contact Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC to find out. Call our Portland medical malpractice lawyers at 503-226-6361 or fill out a free case review form.