MANUAL MINORS
The presence of foreign bodies in the foot occurs when objects like glass fragments, wooden splinters, metal, or other materials penetrate soft tissues, typically after a traumatic wound. These foreign bodies can cause pain, infection, inflammation, and even damage to deeper structures like nerves, tendons, or bones if not properly removed. The depth and type of material influence the risk of infection and subsequent complications.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on the history of penetrating trauma, with signs such as localised pain, swelling, redness, or fluid drainage at the affected area. The patient may describe a sensation of something embedded in the foot. A thorough physical examination is required to locate the foreign body. X-rays can detect radiopaque foreign bodies like metal or glass, while ultrasound or CT scans are useful for radiolucent materials such as wood or plastic.
Differential Diagnosis
Condition | Key Difference |
|---|---|
Foot abscess | May form after infection, with visible pus accumulation. |
Open fracture | Bone injury with exposure, but without an embedded external object. |
Infected wound | Inflammation and purulent discharge with no detected foreign body. |
Plantar fasciitis | Chronic pain in the sole of the foot, unrelated to penetrating trauma. |
Emergency Management
Initial management in the emergency setting includes cleaning the wound and identifying and removing the foreign body under sterile conditions. If the object is visible and accessible, it can be manually extracted with forceps; if deeper or at risk of damaging important structures, surgical exploration is required.
Prophylactic antibiotics are administered to prevent infection, especially if the object has been embedded for some time. Tetanus vaccination should be updated if it has not been given recently.
Definitive Treatment
Definitive treatment depends on the location and type of foreign body. In some cases, more extensive surgery is needed to remove deep or fragmented objects. The wound may be left open or partially closed if there are signs of infection.
Follow-up care is essential to detect potential complications, such as infection or abscess formation. The use of antibiotics and close monitoring of the healing process are crucial to ensure a full recovery without complications.
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