ABSTRACT
The infection evolves, often after a minimal trauma, in two to five days into an abscess with increasing pain. In the acute phase, inadequate recognition or therapy can lead to a pulp infection or a flexor sheath infection. The cause of the infection is usually a Staphylococcus aureus. In all cases, consider the possibility of a candida albicans or herpes infection, or malignancy. Human bites often cause hemolytic streptococcus, staphylococcus aureus or eikenella corrodens infections. The tendon sheath is opened proximally at the A1-pulley level and distally at the level of the A5 pulley/DIP joint. The patient should be admitted and administered intravenous antibiotics aimed at a staphylococcus aureus infection. In case of a fulminant infection with a necrotic flexor tendon and sheath, the finger must be opened according to Bruner. The cause can be a bacterial infection through a small wound or a thorn, or due to bacteremia of an infection elsewhere in the body.
