Acute hand infections

J Hand Surg Am. 2014 Aug;39(8):1628-35; quiz 1635. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.03.031.

Abstract

The continued emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the development of only a few new classes of antibiotics over the past 50 years have made the treatment of acute hand infections problematic. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are important, because hand stiffness, contractures, and even amputation can result from missed diagnoses or delayed treatment. The most common site of hand infections is subcutaneous tissue and the most common mechanism is trauma. An immunocompromised state, intravenous drug abuse, diabetes mellitus, and steroid use all predispose to infections.

Keywords: Flexor tenosynovitis; MRSA; infection; necrotizing fasciitis osteomyelitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Infectious / diagnosis
  • Arthritis, Infectious / microbiology
  • Arthritis, Infectious / therapy
  • Bites, Human / complications
  • Bites, Human / microbiology
  • Bites, Human / therapy
  • Cellulitis / etiology
  • Cellulitis / microbiology
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / microbiology
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / surgery
  • Hand / microbiology
  • Hand / virology
  • Hand Injuries* / microbiology
  • Hand Injuries* / virology
  • Humans
  • Osteomyelitis / diagnosis
  • Osteomyelitis / microbiology
  • Paronychia / etiology
  • Paronychia / therapy
  • Soft Tissue Infections* / diagnosis
  • Soft Tissue Infections* / microbiology
  • Soft Tissue Infections* / therapy
  • Soft Tissue Infections* / virology
  • Tenosynovitis / diagnosis
  • Tenosynovitis / etiology
  • Tenosynovitis / therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents