What is compartment syndrome characterized by?

Compartment syndrome is characterized by large amounts of pressure build-up within a muscle compartment. A muscle compartment is a group of muscles, nerves, and blood vessels surrounded by a tough membrane called fascia. In cases of compartment syndrome, swelling or bleeding within this compartment increases the pressure to a level that can compromise circulation and nerve function.

This condition can result from various causes such as trauma, fractures, or constrictive casts, leading to severe pain, muscle weakness, and potential permanent damage to the muscles and nerves if not treated promptly. The key factor in compartment syndrome is that the increased pressure prevents normal blood flow, which is critical for the health of the tissues within that compartment.

Recognizing this definition helps in understanding why the other options do not apply to compartment syndrome. The increase in muscle fiber size relates to muscle hypertrophy, fluid accumulation in the joints pertains to joint issues, and increased blood flow to tissues does not occur in this syndrome but rather is impeded due to the elevated pressure.