Compartment syndrome is defined as an increase of pressure within a fixed osteofascial anatomic space, leading to decreased local tissue perfusion. Left untreated, the increase of pressure results in irreversible damage to the tissues in the affected compartment. Clinical manifestations of compartment syndrome of the hand or forearm include pain, generalized tightness of the skin, pain with passive stretch of muscles in the affected compartment, paresthesia, and ultimately paralysis. The late finding of pulselessness indicates a poor prognosis. In the presence of injury to the median or ulnar nerves, or both, pain and tenderness may be minimal or absent even in the presence of a developing or established compartment syndrome.