Intravenous Drug Abuser Treated for Chronic Infected Open Forearm Fracture with Shortening and Primary Wound Closure

Abstract

Summary: Neglected and open forearm fracture wounds accompanied by shortening are complex injuries that are seldom reported in the known literature. We describe a patient with a history of chronic intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) and a neglected forearm wound with radius and ulna fractures with chronic osteomyelitis managed by limb salvage. The patient had a history of IVDA and a neglected forearm wound with fractures in both the radius and ulna, along with chronic osteomyelitis. The approach taken to manage this complex injury involved limb salvage. The case emphasizes the treatment challenges associated with patients who had IVDA and neglected their wounds. Thorough evaluation combining clinical and radiological assessments, followed by appropriate surgical planning and intervention, played a crucial role in restoring the functional status of the limb. Neglected open fracture wounds in the forearm are uncommon and have limited documentation in the existing literature. The described patient’s chronic history of IVDA and the disregarded open forearm osteomyelitis exemplify the severe consequences that can arise from injectable drug abuse in the upper extremity. In such cases, limb preservation and optimization of functional outcomes become paramount. To the best of our knowledge, this is one among the few reported cases of this nature, highlighting the significance of sharing such experiences to enhance medical understanding and inform future treatment approaches.