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Suggest Treatment For Splinter Injuries On The Hand
Question: Sep 7
Got Splinter in finger (at joint of index) from a wooden skewer while working with raw meat. Splinter pulled out.
Sep 10
Finger swollen and infected with blister. Started CLINDAMYCIN 300mg 3 times daily at advice of doctor. Took for 4 days.
Sep 13
Swelling extended to whole hand. Got incision to drain out pus and started Augmentin 1000mg for 6 days
Sep 14
Swelling reduced
Sep 23
Minor swelling localized in finger only but arm from fingers to elbow is weak with pain in arm felt mostly at night. Family doctor prescribed CIPRO for 10 days. Suspected that infection remains present.
Sep 27
Specialist (Plastic surgeon) does not suspect cellulitis. Says probably inflammation from initial infection. Prescribed 7 days of clindamycin 300mg 4 times a day just in case in addition to the cipro. Weakness in arm remains. He suggested to gently exercise it.
Sep 30
Pain from hand to elbow remains, mostly at joints (fingers, wrist, elbow). I suspected it was tendonitis due to initial infection. Went back to doctor and he said he doesn't think it's tendonitis. He's sending me to hospital to get galium scan and bone scan to rule out septic arthritis or bone issue.
Oct 18.
Bone Scan and Galium Scan turned out negative for septic arthritis or other problem. Doctor said it is only inflammation from injury and to massage finger constantly with hot compress.
Oct 31
Initial injury has been almost 2 months old and finger has healed from the actual trauma but finger remains swollen and stiff. Cannot do normal activity on left hand as it is weaker and activity usually leads to pain in my whole left hand and wrist after excessive movement.
I cannot believe that a simple tiny splinter led to this outcome. What can be wrong? I'm not convinced that it's an underlying inflammation only. What is your opinion?
Got Splinter in finger (at joint of index) from a wooden skewer while working with raw meat. Splinter pulled out.
Sep 10
Finger swollen and infected with blister. Started CLINDAMYCIN 300mg 3 times daily at advice of doctor. Took for 4 days.
Sep 13
Swelling extended to whole hand. Got incision to drain out pus and started Augmentin 1000mg for 6 days
Sep 14
Swelling reduced
Sep 23
Minor swelling localized in finger only but arm from fingers to elbow is weak with pain in arm felt mostly at night. Family doctor prescribed CIPRO for 10 days. Suspected that infection remains present.
Sep 27
Specialist (Plastic surgeon) does not suspect cellulitis. Says probably inflammation from initial infection. Prescribed 7 days of clindamycin 300mg 4 times a day just in case in addition to the cipro. Weakness in arm remains. He suggested to gently exercise it.
Sep 30
Pain from hand to elbow remains, mostly at joints (fingers, wrist, elbow). I suspected it was tendonitis due to initial infection. Went back to doctor and he said he doesn't think it's tendonitis. He's sending me to hospital to get galium scan and bone scan to rule out septic arthritis or bone issue.
Oct 18.
Bone Scan and Galium Scan turned out negative for septic arthritis or other problem. Doctor said it is only inflammation from injury and to massage finger constantly with hot compress.
Oct 31
Initial injury has been almost 2 months old and finger has healed from the actual trauma but finger remains swollen and stiff. Cannot do normal activity on left hand as it is weaker and activity usually leads to pain in my whole left hand and wrist after excessive movement.
I cannot believe that a simple tiny splinter led to this outcome. What can be wrong? I'm not convinced that it's an underlying inflammation only. What is your opinion?
Brief Answer:
No underlying inflammation. Just stiff joints and weaker muscles. Physiothe
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX.
Thanks for the query.
Usually such infections can spread and cause severe pulp space and hand infection which can extend upto the forearm.
I'm glad you are cured of the initial infection.
There could be residual dead space and atrophy of the soft tissue structures in the finger such is why it appears disfigured. You can consult your Plastic surgeon if you feel it is cosmetically unappealing.
Also prolonged duration of you being unable to use your hand gas made it weaker due to disuse atrophy. I suggest you enroll in Physiotherapy to help gain the muscle strength and also get past the stiff joints of the hand and fingers.
Hot fomentation is a good idea to relax the joints and helps un earlier recovery.
There may not be any underlying inflammation as of now. Not to worry.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Dr. Aashish Raghu
No underlying inflammation. Just stiff joints and weaker muscles. Physiothe
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX.
Thanks for the query.
Usually such infections can spread and cause severe pulp space and hand infection which can extend upto the forearm.
I'm glad you are cured of the initial infection.
There could be residual dead space and atrophy of the soft tissue structures in the finger such is why it appears disfigured. You can consult your Plastic surgeon if you feel it is cosmetically unappealing.
Also prolonged duration of you being unable to use your hand gas made it weaker due to disuse atrophy. I suggest you enroll in Physiotherapy to help gain the muscle strength and also get past the stiff joints of the hand and fingers.
Hot fomentation is a good idea to relax the joints and helps un earlier recovery.
There may not be any underlying inflammation as of now. Not to worry.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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