Acute compartment syndromes of the foot.

The early recognition and treatment of impending compartmental ischemia in the foot in the context of severe injuries will prevent the late sequelae of myoneural necrosis. When suspected, simple tests will confirm the diagnosis. If the clinical findings are equivocal, compartment pressure monitoring is an essential diagnostic tool. Methods of measuring compartment pressures in the foot are outlined. Prompt decompression of the compartment syndrome with appropriate fasciotomies either by medial or dorsal longitudinal incisions is indicated to preserve function and form of the foot.