Evidence Hub

Acute compartment syndrome in tibial fractures: a meta-analysis

Bo Cong, Haiguang Zhang

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2025

10 citations

Abstract

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a severe complication associated with tibial fractures, which can result in irreversible muscle and nerve damage if not promptly identified and treated. This study systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Data on demographics, fracture attributes, injury mechanisms, and biomarkers were extracted. Meta-analyses were performed using both fixed- and random-effects models, depending on the degree of heterogeneity. A total of 17 studies were included. Younger adult age and older age in pediatric populations were both linked to higher ACS risk, depending on the age group. ale sex was strongly associated with ACS. High-energy traumaand polytrauma were also associated with a heightened risk. Delayed external fixation also showed a protective effect, albeit based on limited evidence. Biomarkers, including elevated monocyte count and creatine kinase-MB levels, were also significant predictors. Younger adult age, male sex, high-energy trauma, and polytrauma were identified as critical risk factors for ACS in tibial fractures. Findings emphasize the need for standardized definitions and prospective investigations. Further research addressing pediatric age ranges, fracture location, and biomarker validation is essential to refine risk assessment and optimize early interventions.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free