complications of compound fractures

Early complications :

Gas gangrene :
-soft tissue necrosis provide a good anaerobic breeding ground for the clostridial organisms
*May impair the circulation and make the infection more severe
-produce exotoxins which cause Toxemia, depression, perpheral circulatory failure
-The proteolytic organisms break down the muscle proteins and liberate hydrogen sulphide and ammonia gases
*responsible for the bad smell.

Tetanus :
- increased muscle tone and spasms
* caused by the release of the neurotoxin tetanospasmin by Clostridium tetani
-Should be prevented with anti Human tetanus immunoglobulin or antitetanus serum.

Crush Syndrome :
-ischemia of several hours is relieved suddenly
-the products of muscle breakdown (myohemoglobin) enter the general circulation.
* large quantities of potassium, phosphate, myoglobin, creatine kinase and urate
-renal tubular obstruction and renal damage


Late Complications :
Chronic osteomyelitis
-inflammation of the bone
-staphylococcus aureus
-discharging  pus and forming a sinus
-discharge of the sequestrum.

Skin loss with thin and adherent skin

Non union with bone segment loss.