Morbidity after crush injuries to the foot

By retrospective review of hospital records and by follow-up clinical examinations, we evaluated 58 patients with crush injuries to the foot treated at our institution between 1986 and 1990. All patients had received initial treatment according to a standardized protocol determined by the type and magnitude of the injury. Patients were examined at a mean interval of 3.3 years (range 2-4) after injury, and the functional outcome was determined according to a foot trauma rating scale. Based on this scoring system, 46% of the patients had good functional outcome, 29% had fair results, and 25% had poor results. There was a significant correlation between a good functional outcome and careful adherence to the treatment protocol; however, some patients fared poorly regardless of treatment. Poor results occurred if treatment was not immediately initiated, if soft-tissue coverage was delayed (in those who experienced severe, mangling-type injuries necessitating partial foot amputation), if patients subsequently had neuritis or reflex sympathetic dystrophy, or if patients were involved in ongoing workers' compensation and litigation. We conclude that because crush injuries of the foot may be associated with prolonged morbidity, initial management should be directed toward recognition and treatment of compartment syndromes, early soft-tissue coverage, and rigid skeletal stabilization to enhance soft-tissue healing.