Management of Degloving Injuries of the Lower Extremity

Abstract

Soft-tissue injuries of the foot and ankle can vary from crushing to penetrating mechanisms. Degloving injuries of the lower extremity are the result of an entrapment between a fixed surface and a moving object. These injuries pose significant morbidity and potential complications (eg, infection) to the patient if prompt wound coverage is not initiated. The authors present a case of an extensive degloving injury to the foot, ankle, and lower leg from a forklift accident. With the collaborative effort of the podiatry and plastic surgery teams, the patient underwent serial debridements, application of a small-intestine submucosa wound matrix, negative-pressure wound therapy, and skin grafting. This case presentation demonstrates the benefit of procedure staging and early wound coverage for improved patient outcomes. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV, Case Study