Hand infections in the diabetic patient.

Between 1984 and 1994, 23 diabetic patients were admitted to a university hospital/Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Medical Centre with a primary or secondary diagnosis of hand infection. We also identified 726 patients admitted to all DVA Medical Centres during the years 1989 through 1994 with co-diagnoses of diabetes mellitus and hand infection. Contrary to previously published literature, most diabetic hand infections are non-specific, confined to the soft tissues, and respond to broad spectrum parenteral antibiotic therapy. When surgery is necessary, most patients do not require amputation.