Back to Basics: Finger in Flexion

Mon, 05/14/2018 - 12:37am
Author: 
Michael Coletta, MD
Editor: 
Alexis Pelletier-Bui, MD
Catherine Ginty, MD

Diagnosis: Flexor tenosynovitis

 

The patient is presenting with Kanavel’s cardinal signs of flexor tenosynovitis. Given his IV drug use, he is at increased risk for developing this surgical emergency. Review this table for a few considerations to the patient with a finger in flexion.

References:

  1. Aggarwal R, Blazar PE (2017) Dupuytren's contracture. In: Post T, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, Mass.: UpToDate; 2018, accessed May 8, 2018
  2. Tintinalli JE, Stapczynski J, Ma O, Yealy DM, Meckler GD, Cline DM. eds.Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, 8e New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2016.