Adamu I., 8

Eight-year-old Adamu is a cheerful boy who dreams of becoming a professional footballer. He lives with his parents and two brothers in a rented apartment. His father is a casual labourer, his mother does domestic chores for neighbours, and their combined 15,000 naira a month cannot even keep the boys in school. Adamu stepped on a sharp object, and the small sore on his left heel turned black, began discharging with a foul smell, and became so painful he can no longer walk on the leg. He has also had a fever for five days. With no money for proper wound care, the infection has grown dangerous, and he now needs urgent treatment.

Adamu was treated with a 10-day history of a wound on the left heel following a sharp object injury. The wound had become black, foul-smelling, with swelling and inability to bear weight. He was managed with daily wound debridement and dressing for 2weeks, IV Ceftriaxone + IV Metronidazole, analgesics, IV fluids, tetanus prophylaxis, and iron supplements. He responded well to treatment. Fever resolved, swelling reduced, and wound showed healthy granulation tissue with reduced discharge.

With proper treatment, Adamu’s wound will heal, the infection will be cleared, and he will be able to walk normally and return to school and play without long-term disability. If left untreated, the infection could spread and lead to sepsis or amputation, which would permanently affect his mobility and quality of life.