Compartment syndrome delays tibial union.

There has been no previous investigation into the association between compartment syndrome and delayed or nonunion of the tibia following fracture. To establish whether such an association might exist, a retrospective survey of the results of the treatment of closed and Grade I tibial fractures complicated by compartment syndrome was undertaken. The survey showed that there was a significant delay in fracture union in patients over 18 years of age, but not in younger patients.