The Journal of foot and ankle surgery : official publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
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Skin popping refers to the act of subcutaneous injection of intravenous drugs, a practice that often results in the development of cellulitis and the formation of soft tissue abscesses. Although the foot and ankle represent common injection sites, few data have described the presentation and natural history of this pathologic entity. The objective of the present study was to retrospectively assess the descriptive demographic data of a patient cohort admitted for lower extremity skin and soft tissue infection caused by intravenous drug abuse. ⋯ Three cases (6%) resulted in minor amputation. The microbiologic culture data and common antibiotic prescriptions used in the diagnosis and treatment, respectively, of these patients have been summarized. We hope these original descriptive data can be used by other physicians treating patients at similar urban practices to improve the care of these sometimes difficult-to-treat patients and better serve this population as a whole.