Acute Compartment Syndrome Poem by Daya Nandan

It can cause insufficient blood supply to muscles and nerves,
Causing permanent damage or loss of a limb that no one deserves,
It has to be diagnosed fast for it is a medical emergency,
The solution is often fasciotomy in this situation of urgency,

Acute compartment syndrome comes with signs and symptoms to show,
Like paleness, pain and pulselessness due to reduced blood flow,
Prolonged capillary refill time, paresthesia and paralysis too,
Tense and swollen shiny skin with obvious bruising in your view,

Besides all of the above, the affected limb slowly becomes cold,
Rush you must for 4-6 hours after onset is your time frame of gold,
It usually happens to people with severe burn or crush injuries,
In surgeries lasting > 6 hours and quite rarely baby deliveries,

Sometimes it can happen in c-sections or prolonged use of a cast
Either way, acute compartment syndrome must be diagnosed fast,
Know the signs and symptoms, know the causes and risk factors,
And you will become excellent acute compartment syndrome detectors!