title: Clenched fist injury: a pitfall for patients and surgeons.
abstract: Clenched fist injuries or human bite-fight wounds are the result of an impact of the fist with the opponent's teeth, with perforation of the skin and joint. Severe septic arthritis of the third metacarpal joint of the dominant hand often occurs. The consequences, medical and legal, on the long run are important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital Pellenberg, Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Smet
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stoffelen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D016918:Arthritis, Reactive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D001734:Bites, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D003646:Debridement; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004322:Drainage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013492:Suppuration