Preventable Burn Injury in a Person With Paraparesis Leading to Amputation: A Case Report.
Abhimanyu Vasudeva1, Suryakanta Seth2
1Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur, IND.
Cureus
|March 27, 2025
Summary
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to severe complications like pressure sores and burns due to sensory loss. Proactive management and patient education are crucial for preventing secondary issues and improving quality of life after SCI.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Traumatology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) presents significant challenges in patient recovery and long-term management.
- Delayed recognition and management of secondary complications can severely impact outcomes.
Observation:
- A 35-year-old male with SCI developed sacral pressure sores due to impaired sensation and lack of awareness.
- An unnoticed burn injury on the lower limb progressed to neuropathic ulcer, Charcot arthropathy, and osteomyelitis.
Findings:
- The patient required repeated interventions for infection and ultimately a below-knee amputation.
- Conservative treatment failed to resolve the chronic burn wound complications.
Implications:
- This case underscores the critical need for patient education on pressure injury prevention and sensory deficit management.
- A multidisciplinary approach is essential for mitigating secondary complications and enhancing the quality of life for SCI patients.
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