Pathophysiology

  • Infection of the synovial sheath that surrounds the flexor tendon in the hand. 

Clinical features

  • Kanavel signs:
    • Uniform swelling
    • Pain palpation tendon
    • Pain passive flexion
    • Finger held in flexion
Figure 226: Flexor tenosynovitis. Jonrako, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Management

  • If any Kanavel signs ------- > Urgent surgery to release pus
  • Antibiotics