J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2021 Oct;56(5):433-439. 10.4055/jkoa.2021.56.5.433.

Generalized Tetanus from a Foot Injury

• Park HG
• Kim HS

• KMID: 2521204
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2021.56.5.433

Abstract

The definitive and effective method for tetanus prevention has contributed to decreased incidence and mortality of tetanus infections in developed countries. On the other hand, there has been a recent increase in incidence due to the lack of awareness of the disease and lack of adherence to preventive measures. Tetanus infections can be fatal. Therefore, prevention must be the utmost priority, followed by aggressive surgical management along with supportive care. The authors present a case of a 59-year-old male patient diagnosed with a generalized tetanus infection from a foot injury. The patient recovered successfully after aggressive surgical debridement and amputation of the infected toe at the metatarsal level, followed by two months of supportive care.

Keyword

foot; tetanus; prevention; debridement