Ultimate bony fusion of lower limb joints following severe trauma

Three patients presented with limb deformity some years after being run over and sustaining degloving injuries of their lower limbs. Spontaneous joint fusions were observed in each patient; The causes of these could be: i) Extensive intra-articular fracture, ii) Prolonged immobilisation due to the scar tethering the joint, or most likely, iii) A chronic low grade infection following compound joint injury with degloving.