title: Snake bite induced cellulitis leading to infected open dislocation of the first metacarpophalangeal joint - A rare complication.
abstract: Non-traumatic open dislocation of the first metacarpophalangeal joint is a rare phenomenon. We present a rare such occurrence secondary to snake bite induced cellulitis. A 22-year-old girl presented with pain and instability of her right thumb two months. She had snake bite two months back following which she developed cellulitis which gradually became infected. She presented with raw area over her dorsal aspect of the thumb with active infection. Radiographs revealed metacarpophalangeal joint dislocation. She underwent debridement, stabilisation and soft tissue coverage. At final follow up, she was pain free and the wound healed completely.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, 605006, India.
authors.forename: Gopisankar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Balaji
authors.affiliation: PG Registrar, Department of Orthopaedics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India.
authors.forename: Anand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Orthopaedics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India.
authors.forename: Jagdish
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Menon
keywords: Dislocation; Infection; Snake bite; Thumb