Richard E Bechert1, Gary M Guebert2. 1. Victory Health, Guntersville, Alabama. 2. Department of Radiology, Logan University, Chesterfield, Missouri.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case report is to describe the presentation of a patient with osteomyelitis of the thumb. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 21-year-old man presented with painful, red, and edematous thumb pain over the anterior and posterior surface for a duration of 4 days. The patient reported no trauma or recent operation. The patient was treated conservatively for capsulitis. The patient's symptoms worsened within 2 days, and he was referred for additional imaging consisting of a bone scan. The bone scan showed increased uptake, resulting in a change of diagnosis to suspected osteomyelitis. The patient was referred to a medical doctor for care that consisted of antibiotics and physiotherapy. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Despite treatment, the patient had some mild permanent damage to the range of motion of the joint and soft tissue volume loss. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates the importance of considering osteomyelitis as a differential diagnosis. Amputation was avoided for this patient because of the early recognition and referral.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case report is to describe the presentation of a patient with osteomyelitis of the thumb. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 21-year-old man presented with painful, red, and edematous thumb pain over the anterior and posterior surface for a duration of 4 days. The patient reported no trauma or recent operation. The patient was treated conservatively for capsulitis. The patient's symptoms worsened within 2 days, and he was referred for additional imaging consisting of a bone scan. The bone scan showed increased uptake, resulting in a change of diagnosis to suspected osteomyelitis. The patient was referred to a medical doctor for care that consisted of antibiotics and physiotherapy. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Despite treatment, the patient had some mild permanent damage to the range of motion of the joint and soft tissue volume loss. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates the importance of considering osteomyelitis as a differential diagnosis. Amputation was avoided for this patient because of the early recognition and referral.
Authors: Eirinaios M Karamanis; Dimitrios K Matthaiou; Lampros I Moraitis; Matthew E Falagas Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2008-05-01 Impact factor: 3.468
Authors: Steven J Verberne; Remko J A Sonnega; Olivier P P Temmerman; Pieter G Raijmakers Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2017-01-03 Impact factor: 4.176