The parents of a two year-old infant brought their child to the emergency room treatment for a fractured tibia, after the child fell from her stroller in her home.  Following a course of skin traction, the child was placed in a Spica cast from toe to thigh while remaining hospitalized. After 24 hours, the child’s toes became swollen and her foot was unresponsive to pin-prick. After three days of continuous discoloration and foot immobility, doctors removed the cast and discovered marked skin and muscle damage extending from the ankle to mid-calf. A condition of four compartment syndrome was diagnosed due to a tight cast. Additional long-term damage was done to the child.

Photo by Unknown photographer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons