title: Open fractures of the foot and ankle.
abstract: Open fractures of the lower extremity cover a wide gamut of injuries ranging from the mangled, pulseless leg necessitating amputation to the more innocuous pinhole open wounds associated with simple fracture patterns. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate care can make a dramatic difference in decreasing complication rates and improving ultimate outcomes. Principles of management of open fractures have been created with the main goal of decreasing infection rates, while providing for stabilization of the bone and soft tissue injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Lehigh Valley Hospital, VSAS Orthopaedics, 1250 South Cedar Crest Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18103, USA. Electronic address: bbsloane2@excite.com.
authors.forename: Scott E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Sexton
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D003646:Debridement; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D012086:Reoperation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Foot; Lower extremity; Open fractures