What is the Difference Between DVT and Compartment Syndrome

The key difference between DVT and compartment syndrome is that deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs due to blood clots developing within a deep vein in the legs of the body, while compartment syndrome is a condition that occurs when pressure within the muscles increases to dangerous levels, restricting blood flow and leading to pain.

DVT and compartment syndrome are two associated medical conditions. This is because DVT can ultimately cause compartment syndrome. However, they are two different conditions where DVT is mainly treated through specific medications, while compartment syndrome is mainly treated through surgeries.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is DVT 
3. What Compartment Syndrome
4. Similarities – DVT and Compartment Syndrome
5. DVT vs Compartment Syndrome in Tabular Form
6. Summary – DVT vs Compartment Syndrome

What is DVT?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs when a blood clot or thrombus builds up in one or more of the deep veins in the body, normally in the legs. The typical symptoms of DVT may include leg swelling, pain in the legs, cramping or soreness that usually starts in the calf, changes in the color of the skin in the leg (red or purple), and warmth on the affected leg. The main causes of DVT are damage to a vein from surgery or inflammation and damage due to infection or injury. The risk factors for DVT include age (being older than 60), lack of movement, injury or surgery, pregnancy, taking birth control pills, being overweight, smoking, cancer, heart failure, inflammatory bowel disease, family history, and genetics. Moreover, the complications involved in DVT are pulmonary embolism, postphlebitic syndrome, and bleeding (haemorrhage).

To diagnose DVT, the health care provider will perform a physical examination, D-dimer blood test, duplex ultrasound, venography, and MRI scan. Furthermore, DVT treatment options include blood thinners, thrombolytics, filter support, or compression stockings.

What is Compartment Syndrome?

Compartment syndrome occurs when the pressure in and around muscles rises to a dangerous level. This restricts the blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients to muscles and nerves, ultimately leading to pain. This condition can cause serious damage and possible death. Moreover, compartment syndrome often occurs in the lower legs. However, it can also affect feet, arms, hands, abdomen (belly), and buttocks. Compartment syndrome is caused by serious injury or too much physical exertion and anabolic steroids. The symptoms of compartment syndrome may include visible swelling of the muscle, fuller, swollen, or somehow larger muscles, numbness, muscle pain, severe pain when stretching the muscle, tightness in the muscle, and tingling or burning sensation under the skin. The risk factors for compartment syndrome include age (under 30), sex (males affected more), trauma, repetitive impact activity, and overtraining. Moreover, the complications of compartment syndrome are ischemia, necrosis, limb contracture, and possible death.

Healthcare providers will do physical exams, X-rays, compartment pressure measurement tests, and repeat pressure tests to diagnose compartment syndrome. Furthermore, treatment options for compartment syndrome include anti-inflammatory medications like NSAIDs to relieve pain, cross-training, low-impact exercise, orthotics, physical therapy, softer surfaces for workouts, and a surgery called fasciotomy.

What are the Similarities Between DVT and Compartment Syndrome?

• DVT and compartment syndrome are two associated medical conditions.
• DVT can ultimately cause compartment syndrome.
• Both conditions can occur in the lower legs.
• They can cause pain and discomfort.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
• They can be treated through specific medications.

What is the Difference Between DVT and Compartment Syndrome?

Deep vein thrombosis is a condition that occurs due to the development of blood clots within a deep vein in the legs of the body, while compartment syndrome is a condition that occurs when pressure within the muscles increases to dangerous levels, which restricts blood flow and leads to pain. Thus, this is the key difference between DVT and compartment syndrome. Furthermore, DVT is caused by damage to a vein from surgery or inflammation and damage due to infection or injury, while compartment syndrome is caused by serious injury or too much physical exertion and anabolic steroids.

The below infographic presents the differences between DVT and compartment syndrome in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – DVT vs Compartment Syndrome

DVT and compartment syndrome are two medical conditions that can affect the lower limbs of the body. Moreover, DVT and compartment syndrome are two related medical conditions. This is because DVT can cause compartment syndrome. However, DVT is a medical condition that happens when a blood clot develops in a deep vein in the legs. On the other hand, compartment syndrome is a medical condition that happens when pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels, restricting blood flow and causing pain. So, this summarizes the difference between DVT and compartment syndrome.

Reference:

1. “Compartment syndrome.”NHS Choices.
2. “Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).” Mayo Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Deep Vein Thrombosis of the Leg” By Madsread – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Acute Compartment Syndrome with blister formation” By Lklundin – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia