Understanding Degloving in Car Accident Injuries

A degloving injury is one of the most terrible and severe forms of traumatic injuries a person can sustain. This type of injury is not only exceedingly painful, but it may also be debilitating and take a long time to heal from. 

Degloving is a devastating injury in which the body’s layers of skin or tissue are pulled away. These life-threatening injuries can wreak havoc on the underlying tissue and result in substantial blood loss.

How do degloving accidents happen? 

Degloving, also known as skin avulsion or avulsion injury, happens when the top layers of skin are ripped away from the muscle, connective tissue, and, in certain instances, bone, but the underlying tissue is not. This detachment is the effect of an external trauma. When the upper layers of skin are dragged away from the bottom layers of muscle and tissue by opposing forces, the upper layers of skin break completely. A degloving injury can be caused by a blow, a violent tug, or even the impact of a fall.

Common Causes of Degloving Injuries 

The most prevalent accidents that result in degloving injuries are motor vehicle accidents, industrial accidents, and ring–related injuries. These mishaps will are examined below in greater detail:

• When a hand, forearm, or leg is stuck underneath a tire in a car collision, a degloving injury typically occurs.

• Bicycle, pedestrian or motorcycle accidents in which the victim is struck by a car and dragged across the pavement, resulting in abrasions, scrapes, and degloving injuries.
• When a portion of the body, usually a hand or finger, becomes stuck in a machine, an industrial accident occurs. A roller machine injury, such as a plate rolling machine or a road roller, results in injury due to immense pulling power. A conveyor belt injury, on the other hand, might trap and tear the flesh. 
• A degloving injury caused by a dog bite in which the dog pulls away a portion of skin.
• Rings are the third most common cause of degloving. If the ring becomes trapped but the person continues to move, the opposing forces of speed and bodyweight pulling against the stuck ring can deglove the entire finger.

These injuries can occur on any part of the body, but they are most commonly found on the legs, abdomen, and arms.

Degloving Injuries and Tissue Damage 

There are two primary types of tissue damage that are described as degloving injuries.

Open degloving occurs when your skin and tissue are pulled away, revealing muscle, bone, or connective tissue. The skin may still be partially connected as a flap near the wound in some instances. Skin grafts are frequently required for victims of this type of damage. 

In a closed degloving injury, extreme trauma or force is exerted to the tissue, causing blood vessels to burst, yet the skin is not ripped off but remains intact. Because of the interruption of blood circulation, portions of the tissue may become dead or necrotic. Because the skin is no longer linked to the underlying tissue, it may become slack or loose.

Degloving Injuries Treatment 

The degree of the injury will determine the treatment. It is sometimes possible to reattach skin that was not completely detached from the body. Skin grafting, which involves transferring skin from another region of the body to the damaged location, is another procedure that doctors can conduct. 

Serious degloving injuries have few treatment options. Catastrophic injuries to the arms, legs, hands, and feet may need amputation.

Have you suffered a degloving injury as a result of someone else’s negligence? 

Degloving injuries are very painful and costly to repair. The victim may require many surgeries and long-term medical treatment and care, depending on the severity of the injuries. 

If you have suffered a degloving injury due to someone else’s reckless action, you should seek legal assistance from a skilled San Diego personal injury attorney. Call Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers at (619) 550-1355 today for a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.