Soft Tissue Injuries Due to Bicycle Parts in Children

Bicycle spoke injury is the most common cycling-related injury. It is due to foot entrapment in the spokes of the bicycle's rotating wheel, resulting in a variety of injuries. It may include soft tissue injuries as well as fractures of the tibia, fibula or foot bones. There is no universally accepted classification for such injuries. Soft tissue damage is the most important prognostic factor in the healing of a bicycle spoke injury [7]. Soft tissue injuries are divided into three categories: bruising without laceration, bruising and superficial abrasions, and full thickness skin defects. Injuries may be deeper than they first appear. Severe soft tissue injuries usually affect the posterolateral aspect of the ankle and extend to the Achilles tendon. Bicycle spokes can cause injuries resulting in a combination of devascularisation, internal degloving, and contamination. Reassessment after 48 hours provides better evaluation of the wound. Multiple debridements may be necessary to prevent contamination [812].