Abstract
Background: An untreated hand infection can lead rapidly to tissue destruction and permanent disability.
Methods: Review of the pertinent English literature.
Results: Early diagnosis and timely, effective intervention is crucial to treatment. Anatomically, the hand consists of multiple potential spaces and tissue planes that can become infected with a wide variety of organisms. Thus, a working knowledge of hand anatomy as well as pharmalogical therapies is imperative for successful management.
Conclusions: Knowledge of the basic principles of hand care, relevant anatomy, infectious organisms, and clinical signs of an unusually aggressive infection greatly improves treatment efficacy.
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