Open motorcycle wheel spoke achilles tendon injury among children in A Suburban African setting

Achilles tendon injury is commonly a sport-related closed injury in the developed countries, while in the developing countries; it is commonly an open vehicular accident related injury. The effect of the injury on children can have a long-term consequence if poorly managed. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study aimed at knowing the pattern of presentation and outcome of motorcycle-related Achilles tendon injuries among children ina rural hospital in Southern Nigeria between January 2010 and December 2015. Result: A total of 28 patients who met the inclusion criteria were seen during this period. The male-to- female ratio was 1: 3. Those mostly affected are primary school children within the ages of 6-10. The mean duration of hospital stay was 2.04 ± 1.48 weeks. Most of the patients [85.7% (n=24)] achieved a power of grade 4 using the Medical Research Council Muscle Power Grading System scale at 1 year. The complication rate was 10.7% (n=3). Conclusion: Those most at risk of motorcycle-related Achilles tendon injury are children of primary school ages. The outcome of primary repair and physiotherapy is encouraging.