Complications of deep puncture wounds of the foot

Eleven cases of deep puncture wounds of the foot and their complications are reviewed. More than half of the patients had foreign materials introduced at the time of the injury which was not completely removed initially. The morbidity with these "simple puncture wounds" may be quite prolonged. The authors conclude that attention to details when the patient is first seen in the emergency room or the physician's office and aggressive treatment of these wounds will prevent serious sequelae in many instances.