Streptococcal infection and necrotizing fasciitis--implications for rehabilitation: a report of 5 cases and review of the literature.

Five cases are presented of patients who were diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis secondary to (1) hip disarticulation (in a paraplegic patient); (2) tooth abscess with extensive neck dissection, complicated by sepsis and hypotension with resultant dysphagia and ischemic encephalopathy; (3) below-knee amputation, anoxia, and severe debility; (4) emergent above-knee amputation; and (5) percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement. The latter patient developed abdominal and chest wall necrotizing fasciitis that required skin grafting. Four patients were treated in an acute rehabilitation setting and returned home, and the fifth was rehabilitated in a subacute facility. This report emphasizes the importance of carefully monitoring rehabilitation patients, especially those with impaired sensation.