Case 16 2026: Severe Foot Degloving Injury Following a Forklift Crush: A Limb-Salvage Case

Cecilie Jansen; Emil Villiam Holm-Rasmussen; Mette Stueland Wolthers

Journal of Plastic, Breast & Reconstructive Surgery·Peer-reviewed, open-access surgical case reportsPeer-reviewed · Open access

Case 16 2026: Severe Foot Degloving Injury Following a Forklift Crush: A Limb-Salvage Case · JPBRS

Case report

Case 16 2026: Severe Foot Degloving Injury Following a Forklift Crush: A Limb-Salvage Case

Cecilie Jansen¹, Emil Villiam Holm-Rasmussen¹, Mette Stueland Wolthers¹

¹University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark

Published May 28, 20261109 views7 min read

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Abstract

A 30-year-old previously healthy man was admitted to The Trauma Centre at Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet after his left foot was crushed by a 1.5-ton forklift at work. He sustained a large open fracture and an extensive circumferential degloving injury involving the foot and ankle, while distal perfusion remained intact. Computed Tomography (CT) demonstrated multiple intra-articular fractures with suspected Lisfranc injury and no vascular injury on CT angiography. Following orthopedic stabilization, plastic surgical management focused on debridement, tissue viability assessment, skin and heel-pad preservation, and limb salvage. This case highlights the challenges of severe foot degloving and multidisciplinary limb-salvage management. Patient medical history The patient was previously healthy, had no significant past medical history, and was a non-smoker. Before and After Patient examination On arrival at The Trauma Centre at Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, the patient was hemodynamically stable but slightly pale. He reported paresthesia in the left foot, but gross sensation was preserved. Clinical examination revealed an approximately 15 cm open wound laterally on the left foot with exposed bone and tendon. A palpable pulse was present in the dorsalis pedis artery, whereas the posterior tibial artery pulse was not palpable. Capillary refill and sensation were preserved. A trauma CT scan with intravenous contrast, including CT angiography of the lower leg was performed. Imaging demonstrated multiple intra-articular fractures distal to the talus with widening between the second metatarsal and medial cuneiform, raising suspicion of a Lisfranc injury. Air was present in

Key learning points

Pearls

• Early recognition of degloving injuries is crucial for optimal planning and limb salvage.
• Fluorescence angiography provides an objective assessment of tissue perfusion and may help guide debridement and graft planning.
• Staged reconstruction with temporary negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) allows repeated assessment of tissue viability and graft adherence.
• Preservation and reattachment of the heel pad, when feasible, are essential for later function and weight bearing because the heel pad consists of specialized tissue that cannot be replaced by ordinary soft tissue.

Pitfalls

• The extent of degloving and devascularization may be underestimated at initial presentation leading to delayed management.
• Overly conservative debridement risk secondary necrosis and infection, whereas overaggressive debridement may sacrifice viable plantar structures including the heel pad.
• Meticulous hemostasis and adequate drainage are essential to reduce the risk of hematoma beneath the graft and compromised graft take.

Patient history

The patient was previously healthy, had no significant past medical history, and was a non-smoker.

Examination

On arrival at The Trauma Centre at Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, the patient was hemodynamically stable but slightly pale. He reported paresthesia in the left foot, but gross sensation was preserved.
Clinical examination revealed an approximately 15 cm open wound laterally on the left foot with exposed bone and tendon. A palpable pulse was present in the dorsalis pedis artery, whereas the posterior tibial artery pulse was not palpable. Capillary refill and sensation were preserved.
A trauma CT scan with intravenous contrast, including CT angiography of the lower leg was performed. Imaging demonstrated multiple intra-articular fractures distal to the talus with widening between the second metatarsal and medial cuneiform, raising suspicion of a Lisfranc injury. Air was present in the surrounding soft tissues. CT angiography showed no vascular injury, with normal contrast opacification of both the dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial arteries.

Pre-operative considerations

Given the high-energy crush mechanism and the extensive open soft-tissue injury, urgent surgical intervention was indicated. The main preoperative priorities were skeletal stabilization, thorough debridement of devitalized tissue, assessment of soft-tissue viability, preservation of the skin and the heel pad and multidisciplinary planning for limb salvage involving both orthopedic and plastic surgeons. The visible skin injury was considered likely to underestimate the full extent of soft tissue devascularization, making intraoperative reassessment essential.

Step 1 — Intraoperative examination

Intraoperative examination revealed a large open degloving injury, predominantly circumferential around the ankle, extending approximately one handbreadth proximally. The injury continued distally over the dorsum of the foot and around both malleoli. The plantar surface showed partial avulsion involving the heel pad and the medial and lateral borders of the foot. Communication between the open wound and the degloving cavity was noted at the posteromedial heel and ankle region. Areas of crush injury and skin discoloration were present, particularly on the dorsum and medial aspect of the heel, indicating a risk of secondary necrosis. Palpable dorsalis pedis artery pulse was present, whereas the posterior tibial artery pulse was uncertain.

References

Hakim S, Ahmed K, El-Menyar A, Jabbour G, Peralta R, Nabir S, Mekkodathil A, Abdelrahman H, Al-Hassani A, Al-Thani H. Patterns and management of degloving injuries: a single national level 1 trauma center experience. World J Emerg Surg. 2016 Jul 27;11:35. doi: 10.1186/s13017-016-0093-2. PMID: 27468300; PMCID: PMC4962500.
Velazquez C, Whitaker L, Pestana IA. Degloving Soft Tissue Injuries of the Extremity: Characterization, Categorization, Outcomes, and Management. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020 Nov 23;8(11):e3277. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003277. PMID: 33299726; PMCID: PMC7722549.
Kristiansen CS, Norling AL, Nielsen AE, Holmgaard R, Lang CL. Décollement [Décollement]. Ugeskr Laeger. 2025 Nov 24;187(48):V05250357. Danish. doi: 10.61409/V05250357. PMID: 41311131.
Lauritzen E, Lang CL, Jensen LT. Vellykket behandling af décollement-læsion med fuldhudstransplantat på overekstremitet. Ugeskr Laeger. 2019 Jan 14;181(3):V70021. Danish. PMID: 30686278.
Vasella M, Guidi M, Waldner M, Calcagni M, Giovanoli P, Frueh FS. Fluorescence angiography-assisted debridement of critically perfused glabrous skin in degloving foot injuries: two case reports. Medicine (Baltimore). 2021;100(22):e26235. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000026235.

Post-operative plan

The post-operative plan included NPWT dressing changes every 5–7 days. The left foot and lower limb were kept elevated at all times, with pressure avoided over the heel, and were kept warm using padding and gauze with additional covering as needed. The patient remained on strict bed rest for the first three days, followed by wheelchair mobilization with the leg elevated until the first dressing change. Weight-bearing on the affected foot was restricted for six weeks according to orthopedic guidelines. Continuous suction drainage was maintained until NPWT removal.
Once the skin graft is considered well healed, or near complete healed, the patient can be discharged home with daily dressing changes at home and a follow-up every 14th day at the department of plastic surgery, to assess healing, function, and any need for secondary revision. The expectation is that the heel will progress toward spontaneous healing after demarcation.

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Case 16 2026: Severe Foot Degloving Injury Following a Forklift Crush: A Limb-Salvage Case

Abstract

Key learning points

Patient history

Examination

Pre-operative considerations

Step 1 — Intraoperative examination

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Step 2 — Systematic revision guided by intraoperative fluorescence angiography

Step 3 — Repositioned heel pad

Step 4 — Full-thickness skin graft.

Step 5 — The full-thickness skin graft was applied over the foot and ancle.

Step 6 — Negative-pressure wound therapy

Step 7 — Post-operative Assessment (Day 5)

Step 8 — Post-operative Assessment (Day 10)

Step 9 — Post-operative Assessment (Day 14)

Post-operative plan

Pearls

Pitfalls