Hand infections: basic principles and management.

Overview

BACKGROUND: An untreated hand infection can lead rapidly to tissue destruction and permanent disability. METHODS: Review of the pertinent English literature. RESULTS: Early diagnosis and timely, effective intervention is crucial to treatment. Anatomically, the hand consists of multiple potential spaces and tissue planes that can become infected with a wide variety of organisms. Thus, a working knowledge of hand anatomy as well as pharmalogical therapies is imperative for successful management. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the basic principles of hand care, relevant anatomy, infectious organisms, and clinical signs of an unusually aggressive infection greatly improves treatment efficacy.