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Suggest Remedies For Swelling And Blister On The Finger Post Injury
Question: I have a problem with my left hand. Here are the chain of events:
Sep 7
Got Splinter in finger 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 on Tuesday to get scans to rule out septic arthritis.
what do you think it could be?
Sep 7
Got Splinter in finger 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 on Tuesday to get scans to rule out septic arthritis.
what do you think it could be?
Brief Answer:
As mention below
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear
Welcome to HCM and thanks for your query.
I have undergone through your query and understand your concern
Your symptoms could be a septic arthritis, as you have pain mostly at the joint.
Joint swelling, warmness, redness, pain on movement and restriction of movement are symptoms of the arthritis.
Generally tendinitis and cellulitis will goes of in 2-3 week with antibiotic treatment.
So there is possibility of septic arthritis.
Bacteria from the injured area and blood stream enter into joint and cause septic arthritis.
I would suggests to undergo following investigations:
Blood test: ESR, CRP
Gram stain and culture of the synovial fluid.
Scan: X-ray and USG.
Parenteral antibiotic, analgesic and washout of aspiration of synovial fluid help in the treatment.
Hope I have answered your query
Let me know if you have further query.
Get well soon.
Best regards
Dr. Sagar
As mention below
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear
Welcome to HCM and thanks for your query.
I have undergone through your query and understand your concern
Your symptoms could be a septic arthritis, as you have pain mostly at the joint.
Joint swelling, warmness, redness, pain on movement and restriction of movement are symptoms of the arthritis.
Generally tendinitis and cellulitis will goes of in 2-3 week with antibiotic treatment.
So there is possibility of septic arthritis.
Bacteria from the injured area and blood stream enter into joint and cause septic arthritis.
I would suggests to undergo following investigations:
Blood test: ESR, CRP
Gram stain and culture of the synovial fluid.
Scan: X-ray and USG.
Parenteral antibiotic, analgesic and washout of aspiration of synovial fluid help in the treatment.
Hope I have answered your query
Let me know if you have further query.
Get well soon.
Best regards
Dr. Sagar
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
Answered by
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