Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh without associated fracture: A case report

Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh is a rare complication of trauma to the thigh. It occurs less commonly than in other sites such as the leg and forearm. Because of its rarity, it is often not suspected and its diagnosis is frequently delayed with disastrous consequences.We report a patient who sustained blunt trauma to the thigh without a femoral fracture and subsequently developed acute compartment syndrome. The patient had initially been seen and sent home on oral analgesia but presented five hours later with worsening thigh pain. Then, a diagnosis of acute compartment syndrome was made and fasciotomy done. He recovered uneventfully