eMedicine Specialties > Orthopedic Surgery > Hand & Upper Extremity

Hand Infections

Author: Matthew B Klein, MD, Attending Surgeon, Assistant Professor, UW Burn Center and Division of Plastic Surgery, Harborview Medical Center
Coauthor(s): James Chang, MD, Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery and Orthopedic Surgery, Program Director, Department of Plastic Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 22, 2007

Introduction

Hand infections can vary from routine problems (treated with oral antibiotics, immobilization, and limited incision and drainage)¹ to catastrophic surgical emergencies (resulting in significant compromise of hand function). The purpose of this article is to provide a systematic approach to the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of hand infections.

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Skin, Hair, and Nails Center and Wounds Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education articles Hand Injuries and Finger Infection.

Problem

Hand infections include superficial infections, infections of the nail, infections of the tendon and tendon sheath, infections of the deep spaces of the hand, septic arthritis, and osteomyelitis. (See also the eMedicine articles Hand Infections [in the Plastic Surgery section]; Hand Infections and Osteomyelitis [in the Emergency Medicine section]; and Septic Arthritis,Pediatrics [in the Orthopedic Surgery section].)

Etiology

Hand infections usually result from an injury, most commonly a laceration or an animal bite.^2,3 Most patients recall an inciting event that resulted in the inoculation of bacteria into the hand. Infections of the nail and of the nail folds can result from a nail deformity. (See also the eMedicine articles Nail Pathology [in the Orthopedic Surgery section] and Nailbed Injuries and Paronychia [in the Emergency Medicine section].)

Presentation

A thorough history of a hand infection includes determination of the onset, duration, any recent trauma, and any systemic symptoms (eg, fever, chills, diaphoresis).⁴ Most patients present with a 2- to 3-day history of cellulitis swelling, and occasionally, drainage. (See also the eMedicine articles Cellulitis [in the Emergency Medicine section] and Cellulitis [in the Infectious Diseases section].) 

Review of the patient's past medical history is important, because individuals with diabetes or an immunocompromised status require more aggressive treatment and closer observation.^1,4 Obtaining the patient's immunization history is also important. If the patient's tetanus status is unknown or out of date, administer tetanus prophylaxis.

The physical examination should include a thorough examination of the hand, with particular attention to cellulitis, lymphangitis, areas of fluctuance, range of motion, foreign bodies, and the presence or absence of Kanavel signs. (The 4 Kanavel signs are used to differentiate between infectious tenosynovitis and a superficial or localized abscess. In the presence of infectious tenosynovitis, the signs include intense pain, flexion posture, uniform swelling, and percussion tenderness. [See Relevant Anatomy.])

Indications

Some early infections can be managed with antibiotics. For example, antibiotic treatment is appropriate for cellulitis, and oral antibiotics are usually the appropriate first line of treatment. However, persistent cellulitis or infections in immunocompromised patients should be treated with intravenous (IV) antibiotics until the cellulitis resolves. Then, completion of a course of oral antibiotics is appropriate. (See also the eMedicine articles Antibiotics: A Review of ED Use [in the Emergency Medicine section] and The Role of Antibiotics in Cutaneous Surgery [in the Dermatology section].)

If any signs of fluctuance or purulent wound drainage are present, incision and drainage is necessary. Furthermore, cellulitic infections that are unresponsive to antibiotics may require surgical exploration. Surgeons who undertake incision and drainage should be familiar with the anatomy of the hand, including the anatomy of the nail, the course of the digital neurovascular bundles, and the deep spaces of the palm. Furthermore, appropriate management requires close postoperative monitoring.

Relevant Anatomy

A brief review of the most common hand infections by anatomic location follows.

Acute paronychia involves the soft tissue around the fingernail and usually results from the inoculation of bacteria (most commonly Staphylococcus aureus) into the paronychia tissue from nail trauma or nail manipulation. Drain superficial abscesses with limited incision and drainage. Obtain cultures if possible. If the infection resulted from an ingrown nail, excision of the radial or ulnar one fourth to one half should be performed at the time of incision and drainage. Infections that involve the eponychial fold can be drained by elevating the eponychium, either sharply or with a freer or elevator. The patient should receive a course of oral antibiotics with good staphylococcal coverage (eg, IV cefazolin or oral cephalexin). In addition, the patient should soak the finger in antiseptic solution 2-3 times a day. (See also the eMedicine articles Paronychia [in the Emergency Medicine section] and Paronychia [in the Dermatology section].)

Chronic paronychia usually is caused by Candida albicans and occurs most commonly from chronic immersion in water (as in dishwashers), previous trauma, or nail defects. Treatment with topical antifungal agents and behavior modification is occasionally successful. Excision of a portion of the nail or removal of the entire nail may be necessary.

A felon is a subcutaneous abscess over the distal pulp of a digit or thumb. Felons usually result from a penetrating injury. The pulp contains multiple compartments separated by fibrous septa that make infections in this area complex. Surgical drainage is necessary when an area of palpable fluctuance is present. Use of several incisions has been described for drainage. However, the preferred incision is radial or ulnar longitudinal. Incisions directly over the finger pad or tip are avoided. Also, subcutaneous septa should be broken up to drain all areas of infection, and the wound is left open. After drainage, warm antiseptic soaks and oral antibiotics are administered. The antibiotic is based on the nature of the infection. Parenteral antibiotics should be considered in patients with diabetes or in those who are immunocompromised. Persistent chronic paronychial infections may also require intravenous antibiotics. (See also the eMedicine article Felon.)

Deep-space infections in the hands are possible; the 2 deep spaces in the palm are the midpalmar space and the thenar space. Infections in these areas usually result from injuries such as bites or puncture wounds. These infections may cause cellulitis, fluctuance, and/or pain. In addition, the second, third, and fourth web spaces are potential sites for infection. Web-space infections can spread from the palmar subfascial space in a dorsal direction, forming what is commonly referred to as a "collar button abscess." On examination, patients typically have pain, swelling, and fluctuance on the palmar or dorsal web-space surface. 

Flexor tenosynovitis is a potentially devastating infection that can result in significant scarring of the flexor tendon sheath with resultant compromise in hand function. These infections usually are caused by a penetrating injury (eg, bite, puncture wound). In the early 1900s, Kanavel described a tetrad of physical findings in patients with flexor tenosynovitis: (1) flexed position of the digit, (2) fusiform swelling of the digit, (3) pain with passive extension, and (4) excruciating tenderness over the course of the flexor tendon sheath. Flexor tenosynovitis may also occur without Kanavel signs, particularly in immunocompromised patients. In most cases, patients require urgent incision and drainage of the flexor tendon sheath. Broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage against staphylococci is initiated after cultures are obtained. Then, culture-specific antibiotics are given. (See Surgical therapy forthe details of surgical management.) (See also the eMedicine articles Tenosynovitis [in the Emergency Medicine section] and Flexor Tendon Anatomy and Infectious and Inflammatory Flexor Tenosynovitis [in the Orthopedic Surgery section].)

Septic arthritis usually results as a sequela after open skeletal trauma or from a bite wound. Patients with inflammatory arthritis are at increased risk for joint-space infections. Tenderness and swelling of the joint are signs of potential infection. Puncture wounds over the joint should suggest potential septic arthritis. The differential diagnosis includes gout, psoriatic arthritis flare, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Staphylococci and streptococci are most commonly isolated in septic joint cultures. Arthrotomy is the preferred treatment, as opposed to joint aspiration, which can be used to aid diagnosis. However, arthrotomy is required to adequately drain the infection. The interphalangeal (IP) joints (proximal and distal) can be accessed through a dorsal or midaxial incision. The collateral ligaments often must be released to allow access to the joint capsule. The metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint can be accessed via a dorsal approach. A 10-day course of culture-specific antibiotics is required.  (See also the eMedicine articles Gout [in the Orthopedic Surgery section], Psoriatic Arthritis [in the Dermatology section], and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus [in the Emergency Medicine section].)

Osteomyelitis can occur from an acute event, such as a penetrating wound or open fracture, or as a late sequela of a fracture or other surgery. Patients with a history of diabetes or other immunocompromising conditions are at higher risk for osteomyelitis. Diagnosis of this condition is based on the signs seen with other infections: cellulitis, warmth, and tenderness. In addition, recurrent infections in the same location may be a sign of infection of the underlying bone. Laboratory studies and radiographs can assist in making the appropriate diagnosis (see Workup, Lab Studies and Imaging Studies). The treatment consists of debridement of the devitalized bone, as well as antibiotics, usually a prolonged course of 6 weeks. (See also the eMedicine article Osteomyelitis.)

Herpetic whitlow is a viral infection that is caused by the herpes simplex virus and that may resemble a felon or paronychia. These infections usually occur in medical or dental personnel. History is an important clue to the diagnosis. The patient first notices pain, then erythema before the development of the herpetic vesicle. The treatment of herpetic whitlow is nonoperative; therefore, differentiating these infections from bacterial felons and paronychia is important. The diagnosis can be confirmed by obtaining cultures of the vesicles. Overall, the infection has a self-limited course. The treatment consists of pain control. Topical antiviral agents have been recommended in patients who are immunocompromised. A 20% risk of reactivating the herpetic infection has been reported. (See also the eMedicine article Herpetic Whitlow.)

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• Hand Infections (Plastic Surgery)
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• Hand, Paronychia Drainage (Clinical Procedures)
• Felon (Emergency Medicine)