TITLE:
Chronic Lymphoedema and Bone Infarction: Rare Complications of Multiple Segmental Fractures of the Lower Limb in a Young Adult
AUTHORS:
Ngo Yamben Marie-Ange, Nana Chunteng Theophile, Nseme Etouckey Eric, Muluem Kennedy Olivier, Tsiagadigui Tsiagadigui Jean Gustave, Ndongo Mvela Laurent Stephane, Manga Alexandre, Guifo Marc Leroy
KEYWORDS:
Lymphœdema, Multiple Fractures, Bone Infarction, Amputation, Damage Control Orthopaedic
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Orthopedics,
Vol.12 No.3,
March
8,
2022
ABSTRACT: Multiple segmental fractures of the lower limbs,
common in developing countries, are
the prerogative of Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) involving two-wheeled
vehicles. Their management is difficult, associated with complications, and is
most often based on a two-stage strategy: Damage Control Orthopaedics, followed by delayed internal osteosynthesis. The aim is to allow early functional rehabilitation and rapid
recovery of patients. We report the case of a 39-year-old man, bike rider, after his RTA, presented with segmental homolateral fractures of the femur and two bones
of the left leg. Short-term evolution was marked by the appearance of significant lymphedema and bone infarctions of the lower left limb necessitating a transfemoral amputation. Through this
observation, the authors highlight the problems related to the complexity of
the management of multiple segmental
fractures of the lower limb by emphasizing two post-traumatic complications rarely described but to be
feared: chronic lymphedema and bone infarction.