Car-tyre friction injuries of the foot in children

In a prospective study, 25 cases of car-tyre friction injuries of the foot in children were included. The mechanism of injury was similar in all patients: As the car-tyre impacted on the child's foot, the driver was usually trying to stop the car resulting in an injury of variable severity, depending on the amount of energy absorbed by the foot. The site of injury varied according to the position of the foot in relation to the tyre at the time of impact. Sixteen out of the 25 patients presented with acute injuries. The severity of foot injury was classified into five grades and the plan of management in these patients was guided by the grade of the acute injury. The remaining nine patients presented with secondary deformity and principles of secondary reconstruction were also demonstrated with clinical examples. Prevention of these injuries are discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd and ESBI. All rights reserved.