The Volkmann ischemic contracture of the forearm is preventable

The acute compartment syndrome of the forearm is rare and may therefore be easily missed. Although many clinicians will not see such a patient during their entire career, profound knowledge of the symptoms is required to recognize the syndrome in time. Besides immediate identification of the compartment syndrome early surgical treatment is mandatory to avoid its devastating consequences. Then the functional results can be good, but if the correct diagnosis is missed a Volkmann's ischemic contracture will invariably develop. This paper aims to attend the reader to this diagnostic pitfall. Two patients with a compartment syndrome of the forearm are described to illustrate both ends of this diagnostic challenge. Pathophysiological, anatomical and clinical aspects, classification and therapeutic modalities are reviewed.