Infections of the Hand, injection injuries-MHS Infections Chapter

MHS Infections Chapter

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Infections of the hand can be diagnosed by obtaining a detailed history, performing a physical examination, and ordering relevant tests. Treatment usually involves incision and drainage, debridement of devitalized tissues, immobilization and elevation, and antibiotics. Patients with medical issues like transplants or diabetes may require amputations to control the infection. Deep space infections need urgent drainage, thorough irrigation, antibiotics, elevation, and immobilization. Different spaces in the hand may be infected, such as the midpalmar space, thenar space, hypothenar space, and Parona space. Cellulitis, subcutaneous abscesses, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, necrotizing fasciitis, and diabetic gangrene are common bacterial infections. Cellulitis is a soft tissue bacterial infection that may result from trauma or chronic ulceration, requiring antibiotics, elevation, and immobilization for treatment. Subcutaneous abscesses are usually caused by puncture wounds and need incision and drainage, along with antibiotics. Osteomyelitis happens due to open fractures and may require surgical debridement and intravenous antibiotics. Septic arthritis should be treated urgently with irrigation, debridement, and antibiotics. Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening infection that requires prompt recognition, early antibiotics, and surgical debridement. Diabetic gangrene is often treated with surgical debridement and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Herpetic whitlow, warts, and bites are viral infections that occur on the hand. Postoperative infections are uncommon but can be caused by Gram-positive organisms. Mimickers of hand infections include crystalline arthropathy, pyogenic granuloma, pyoderma gangrenosum, neoplasia, and acute calcific tendinitis. Prophylactic antibiotics are not recommended for clean, elective hand surgeries, and traumatic wounds may or may not require prophylactic antibiotics depending on the severity and nature of the wound.

Keywords

hand infections

diagnosis

treatment

antibiotics

deep space infections

osteomyelitis

septic arthritis

necrotizing fasciitis

herpetic whitlow

postoperative infections