OBJECTIVETo determine the efficacy of phosphocreatine kinase in the early diagnosis of compartment syndrome.

METHODSForty patients with compartment syndrome of limbs were reviewed from 2005 to 2008 including 34 males and 6 females with an average age of (37.03 +/- 13.02) years. Monitoring phosphocreatine kinase continuously and dynamically after injured 2, 24 hours, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks later. The concentration of CK were measured by using Japanese Olympus automatic biochemistry analysator. The muscle preparations from affected extremity were taken after operation and 1, 2, 3 weeks later for biopsy.

RESULTSTwo hours later after injury, the contents of CK increased sharply and the contents of CK were about 20 times more than the nomal. Twenty-four hours later, the contents of CK reached its maximum,the contents of CK were about 42 times more than the nomal. One week later, the contents of CK recovered to normal level. Pathological changes of muscle were irreversible.

CONCLUSIONThe change of the contents of CK can reflect the progression of disease objectively. If it increased sharply, the chance of compartment syndrome was high. Monitored it dynamicly and continuously can provide assistant for early diagnosis of compartment syndrome and evaluating pathogenetic condition.