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The empty toe phenomenon: a type of closed degloving
J D Flaherty1, D A Evans, P R Danahy
1State University of New York, Buffalo School of Medicine, USA.
American Journal of Orthopedics (Belle Mead, N.J.)
|July 25, 1998
Summary
A rare closed degloving injury caused a forklift accident to displace toe bones, creating an "empty toe" radiographic appearance. This case highlights unusual trauma presentations in foot injuries.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Trauma Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Crush injuries can cause complex foot trauma.
- Closed degloving injuries are rare, involving tissue separation without skin breakage.
Observation:
- A 46-year-old man experienced a crush injury to his left foot from a forklift.
- Radiographs revealed displaced middle and distal phalanges of the second toe, appearing absent.
Findings:
- The injury was classified as a closed degloving injury.
- This presentation resulted in a unique radiographic finding termed the "empty toe".
Implications:
- Closed degloving injuries can lead to significant bone displacement and unusual radiographic findings.
- Recognizing the "empty toe" sign is crucial for diagnosing and managing such rare foot traumas.