Aggressive early reconstruction in open foot trauma: a case report.

Open fracture-dislocation of the lower extremity poses a serious risk, has a high incidence of complications, and necessitates prompt surgical intervention. Patients need to be evaluated on presentation to the emergency department for neurovascular injury, soft-tissue insult, stability of the fracture, concomitant injuries, and overall medical/nutritional status. Implementation of a specific treatment protocol will decrease time to operative management and increase the overall success rate. Success after treatment of lower-extremity trauma should be defined as a noninfected, functional limb with optimal tissue preservation allowing ambulation. We present a case of open fracture-dislocation of the first ray treated with prompt debridement, skeletal stabilization, and immediate soft-tissue reconstruction.