This paper reviews the etiology, clinical picture, treatment and follow-up in 25 patients treated for a forearm compartment syndrome at the medical school in Hanover. A volar-ulnar and, when indicated, a straight dorsal incision gave adequate decompression in all operatively treated patients. Follow-up examination revealed no damage or deficit that could be related to fasciotomy. Therefore, these results support the concept that operative treatment is widely indicated for forearm compartment syndrome.