The wick catheter technique was developed in 1968 for measurement of
subcutaneous pressure and has been modified for easy intramuscular
insertion and continuous recording of interstitial fluid pressure in
animals and humans. Studies in dogs of the anterolateral compartment of the
leg in simulation of the compartment syndrome showed the technique to be
accurate and reproducible. The wick catheter technique is capable of
important clinical applications in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and
chronic compartment syndromes.