It is an infection of the medullary canal of the fingertip, usually caused by staphylococci or streptococci.
Most frequently the distal region is concerned, central, lateral and apical components may be involved. The delimiting septa limit the spread of infection, consequently an abscess, exerts the pressure and leads to necrosis of adjacent tissue develops. Adjacent structures such as bone, joint or flexor tendons can be detected from the infection. The symptoms consists of an intense, throbbing pain and swelling, heat and pain intense pressure of the fingertip. The treatment consists of incision and drainage with lateral access at mid-height, which splits the fibrous septa adequately, also an oral antibiotic therapy, wherein the empirical use of a cephalosporin sufficient. In regions where methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is common, trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, doxycycline or linezolid should be used instead of a cephalosporin.
It is an infection of the medullary canal of the fingertip, usually caused by staphylococci or streptococci. Most frequently the distal region is concerned, central, lateral and apical components may be involved. The delimiting septa limit the spread of infection, consequently an abscess, exerts the pressure and leads to necrosis of adjacent tissue develops. Adjacent structures such as bone, joint or flexor tendons can be detected from the infection. The symptoms consists of an intense, throbbing pain and swelling, heat and pain intense pressure of the fingertip. The treatment consists of incision and drainage with lateral access at mid-height, which splits the fibrous septa adequately, also an oral antibiotic therapy, wherein the empirical use of a cephalosporin sufficient. In regions where methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is common, trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, doxycycline or linezolid should be used instead of a cephalosporin.