Infectious tenosynovitis

Background

• Infection of extensor tendons rarely results in loculated infections, but disruption of normal flexor tendon function can be dangerous as it may spread proximally involving the wrist/forearm (Parona space). It is an surgical/orthopedic emergency!

Etiology

• Trauma with direct inoculation
• Microbiology
• "Clean trauma" - skin flora
• DM, bites - Polymicrobial (gram -, anerobes)
• Puncture from plants - Fungal (sporotrichosis)
• Hematogenous spread
• Microbiology
• Gonorrhea
• Look for vesiculopustular skin lesion, polyarthralgia
• Mycobacteria
• Contiguous spread

Clinical Manifestations

• 4 Kanavel signs:
  • (1) Finger held in slight flexion
  • (2) Fusiform swelling
  • (3) Tenderness along the flexor tendon sheath (late sign)
  • (4) Pain with passive extension of the digit (early sign)

Diagnosis

• Labs: CBC, ESR/CRP, pre-op labs (T+S, coags, Chem-10)
• X-Ray
  • Usually normal but helpful to r/o bony involvement, FB
• Blood culture (if possible, obtain from synovial fluid)

Treatment

• Elevation of hand to help with swelling
  • Monitor clinically for hand compartment syndrome
• Surgery/Ortho consult for wash-out vs. debridement
• IV Abx (appropriate to the likely organism and mechanism of injury)