Anterior compartment syndrome in a patient with fracture of the tibial plateau treated by continuous passive motion and anticoagulants. Report of a case.

Open reduction and internal fixation with anterior compartment fasciotomy for fractures of both tibial plateaus in a 36-year-old woman was complicated by deep-vein thrombosis three days after surgery. After establishing anticoagulation, continuous passive motion (CPM) was instituted. Twenty-four hours after the commencement of CPM, an anterior compartment syndrome developed. A second operation revealed a large hematoma within the anterior compartment musculature, the development of which appeared to be the result of the combination of continuous passive motion and anticoagulation therapy in a seriously injured limb. In this clinical condition, especially close observation for the development of signs of elevated intracompartmental pressure is mandatory.