Soft Tissue Injury

Severe crush injury can result in sequelae such as significant bony fractures, rhabdomyolysis, extremity compartment syndrome or crush syndrome. Crush syndrome comprises the systemic manifestations that arise as a result of a crush injury followed by reperfusion. From the rupture of muscle cells, substances such as myoglobin, potassium, phosphorus and creatinine phosphokinase are released into the bloodstream. The patient can subsequently develop hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, hypovolemia, shock, compartment syndrome, lactic acidosis or renal failure from traumatic rhabdomyolysis (seen in up to 40% of patients with crush injury).