A Traumatic Loss of the Calcaneus and Heel Pad From a Lawnmower Injury in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

TL;DR

A 10-year-old girl survived a severe lawnmower injury to her heel and successfully regained foot function through staged reconstructive surgery.

Contribution

This case uniquely combines calcaneal and soft tissue loss in a pediatric patient, highlighting successful limb salvage while preserving growth.

Findings

The patient achieved complete wound closure and independent ambulation 11 months post-injury.

Staged reconstruction preserved the distal calcaneal growth plate without growth disturbances.

The case demonstrates successful management of a high-contamination, complex pediatric hindfoot injury.

Abstract

Traumatic calcaneal injuries with combined soft tissue loss are extremely rare in pediatric patients, posing significant reconstructive challenges due to contamination and the need to preserve growth potential. We report a case of a 10-year-old female who sustained a lawnmower-induced degloving injury with partial calcaneal loss, plantar heel pad avulsion, and posterior calf soft tissue damage. Management included emergent debridement followed by staged reconstruction aimed at preserving the distal calcaneal growth plate. At 11 months post-injury, the patient achieved complete wound closure, independent ambulation, a plantigrade foot, and functional ankle motion without infection or growth disturbances.

This case is unique due to the combination of bony and soft tissue loss, high contamination, and pediatric growth plate considerations. It demonstrates that even severe pediatric hindfoot injuries can be managed successfully with tailored, multidisciplinary reconstruction, achieving limb salvage while preserving function and growth potential.

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