title: Two partially embedded rings resulting in chronic erosion of a finger.
abstract: Embedded rings in the fingers may cause neurovascular, tendinous, or bony injury. These are very rare injuries usually found in patients with mental illness. To minimize the potentially serious complications, mentally-challenged individuals should have tight rings removed. We present a case of a 41-year-old gentleman with schizophrenia who had two partially embedded rings on his left index finger but consistently refused to have the rings removed. Following appointment of a guardian, the patient was returned for surgery to remove the rings. He recovered without further sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Section of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware, USA.
authors.forename: Forrest O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Brian P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: Adam M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Shiroff
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Zabel
authors.forename: Henry C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Vasconez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*