title: Pincer nails complicated by distal phalangeal osteomyelitis.
abstract: Besides the known cosmetic implications, pincer nails are often complicated by pain, chronic inflammation and recurrent suppurative infections. We report two such cases of chronic paronychia of the thumb secondary to pincer nails. Both were complicated by osteomyelitis. Although both cases eventually healed after excisional debridement, one case required elective amputation because the significant loss of bony support resulted in a painful, floppy fingertip and poor pinch. Regular radiographic assessments may be useful in the management of patients with chronic inflammation or recurrent paronychias secondary to pincer nails to detect osteomyelitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore. pangheenee@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Hee-Nee
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yi-Liang Lee
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beng-Hoi Tan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009264:Nails, Malformed / Q000150:complications*; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D010304:Paronychia / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D013933:Thumb / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery