title: [Joint infections of the hand].
abstract: Joint infections of the hand may lead to irreversible lesions and impairment of hand function due to early cartilage damage. Furthermore, persistent infections which are not treated immediately can cause osteitis and/or spread systemically. Finger joints are prone to infection due to bite wounds or crush and sharp injuries. Whereas the wrist is often affected in patients with immunosuppression or chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. If diagnosis and therapy are delayed, joint damage may be inevitable. Therefore, urgent treatment of the infected joint is imperative to preserve the function of the hand. This article reviews the current diagnostics and treatment of joint infections of the hand.
authors: Handchirurgie, Vulpius Klinik, Vulpiusstr. 29, 74906, Bad Rappenau, Deutschland. Frank.Unglaub@vulpiusklinik.de.|Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Deutschland. Frank.Unglaub@vulpiusklinik.de.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Unglaub
authors: Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Deutschland.
authors: M F
authors: MF
authors: Langer
authors: Handchirurgie, Vulpius Klinik, Vulpiusstr. 29, 74906, Bad Rappenau, Deutschland.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Unglaub
authors: Abteilung für Hand-, Ästhetische und Plastische Chirurgie, Elbe Kliniken Stade-Buxtehude GmbH, Stade, Deutschland.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Hohendorff
authors: Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Uniklinik Köln, Köln, Deutschland.
authors: L P
authors: LP
authors: Müller
authors: Handchirurgie, Vulpius Klinik, Vulpiusstr. 29, 74906, Bad Rappenau, Deutschland.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Hahn
authors: Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Caritas-Krankenhaus, Bad Mergentheim, Deutschland.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Löw
authors: Handchirurgie, Vulpius Klinik, Vulpiusstr. 29, 74906, Bad Rappenau, Deutschland.
authors: C K
authors: CK
authors: Spies
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D016267:External Fixators; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D050823:Hand Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Antibiotics; Debridement; External fixators; Lavage; Wrist