When does crush happen

Crush injury and syndrome presentation remain a rare occurrence within European practice. Crush injury and the syndrome are often seen after events of:

• Natural disasters, such as earthquakes
• In war settings
• Building collapses following explosions
• Industrial accidents
• Road traffic collisions
• Sometimes following collapses of patients where their own bodyweight has been trapping a limb over an extended period of time

Within the traumatic crush setting, most commonly the legs are affected, with the arms being less frequent. Crush injury to the head and/or torso can often cause significant injury and destruction, often resulting in trauma incompatible with life. Although this may not always be the case.