quick reference
- Kanavel’s cardinal signs consist of 4 classic signs of flexor tenosynovitis:
- Tenderness over the flexor sheath
- Digit resting in the flexed position
- Tenderness with passive extension
- Uniform swelling of the entire digit
Consult ID
Consult Hand Surgery
clinical features
- kanavel signs
diagnosis
Clinical Diagnosis
- hand x-ray
- CBC/CMP
- Wound Culture
- immunocompromised/at-risk populations: tuberculosis
treatment
Nonoperative management consisting only of antibiotic therapy with serial examination:
- This approach may be considered in patients:
- Presenting within 48 hours of inoculation
- Who are otherwise healthy and immunocompetent
- Without suspicion of abscess or necrosis
- Improvements in pain and Kanavel signs should be noted within 12-48 hours after the initiation of therapy.
Operative mgmt