Protocols of CS treatment

Between January 2008 and December 2012, 46 patients with lower leg CS and received fasciotomy were admitted to Burn Unit of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital for early wound treatment. All patients provided written consent and the study was approved by Ethics Committee of Jishuitan Hospital. Among 46 patients, 45 patients previously received fasciotomy to reduce tension at other hospitals, one patient had necrotic muscles all over his anterior and lateral compartment when admitted. Among the 46 patients, 38 patients accepted wound debridement surgeries and then wore corrective braces at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital to prevent foot drop in the following week, including 9 patients who received post-surgery joint capsule relaxation and tendon replacement.

Eight patients suffered complications such as secondary horseshoe ankle, metatarsophalangeal joint dislocation, foot varus and claw toes, which were too severe to be corrected simply via soft tissue treatment. These eight patients with severe CS complications were the subjects of this study. Their age range was 20–60 years (median age 37), including 7 males and 1 female. They were followed up for 3–5 years.