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Land mine injury: functional testing outcome.
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Split University Hospital, Split 21000, Croatia.
Military Medicine
|March 26, 2004
Summary
This case study details successful external fixation treatment for a severe land mine leg injury. Despite complex fractures and extensive damage, the patient achieved good functional recovery, walking unaided and resuming farm work.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Trauma Surgery
- War Surgery
Background:
- Complex land mine injuries pose significant challenges in trauma care.
- External fixation is a critical intervention for severe limb trauma in austere environments.
Observation:
- A war patient sustained extensive destruction and foreign body penetration to the right leg and foot from a land mine injury.
- The injury involved complex fractures of the tibial and fibular bones.
Findings:
- Intensive treatment, including external fixation, saved the patient's life and extremity.
- A 100-month follow-up revealed a bridge callus, tibial bone defects, and ankle arthrosis.
- Despite radiographic findings, functional testing demonstrated surprisingly good results with satisfactory recovery.
Implications:
- This case highlights the efficacy of external fixation in managing severe combat-related lower extremity trauma.
- Successful limb salvage can be achieved even with extensive damage, leading to significant functional restoration.
- Early and intensive treatment is crucial for optimizing outcomes in complex war injuries.