Abstract
A review of the literature yields few reported cases of industrial-strength high-pressure
water injection injuries involving the foot, and sources of information for industrial-strength
high-pressure water injection injuries reside primarily in the hand surgical literature.
Toxic materials, such as grease, paint, and diesel oil, are relatively common agents
involved in injection injuries, and these substances are associated with increased
morbidity in comparison with injection of water or air. Treatment of high-pressure
injection of a toxic substance is a surgical emergency requiring irrigation, debridement,
antibiotic administration, and monitoring for signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome.
There are, however, documented cases where less extreme treatment regimens have met
with success. We report a successful limb salvage case, and review of the literature,
related to a high-pressure water injury involving the foot with associated extensive
subcutaneous emphysema.
Level of Clinical Evidence
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 21, 2010
Footnotes
Financial Disclosure: None reported.
Conflict of Interest: None reported.
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
