Which sign is most specific for acute compartment syndrome?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Pain on passive stretch out of proportion to injury
- Step 1: Pain with passive stretch is the earliest and most reliable sign.
- Step 2: Treatment is urgent fasciotomy.
Answer
Pain on passive stretch out of proportion to injury.
Why not the others: 'Absent pulses in the first hours' is a late sign; 'Skin pallor and coolness only' is a late sign; 'Fever with a raised white cell count' is not specific.
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