Use of Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Detect Muscle Perfusion in the Lower Extremity of Uninjured Subjects

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a complication of lower leg trauma that occurs when the
pressure inside the leg due to swelling exceeds the body's ability to provide blood to the
muscle of the leg. This condition cuts off blood flow to the leg. Left untreated, the
condition can result in devastating consequences including complete loss of function of the
lower extremity or amputation. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-based tissue perfusion
monitors are a non-invasive means of continuously monitoring the amount of oxygen in the
tissues of an injured extremity. The device utilizes harmless red light to detect the
proportion of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen up to 3 cm below the skin surface. The purpose
of this study will be to launch the first stages of validation of this device as a diagnostic
tool for compartment syndrome, by observing this device in uninjured subjects.