FELON
FELON (TERMINAL PULP SPACE INFECTION)
- A felon is an abscess between specialised fibrous septae in the fingertip pulp.
- Fingertip pulp is divided into numerous small compartments by vertical septa that stabilize the pad. Infection occurring within these compartments can lead to abscess formation, edema, and rapid development of increased pressure in a closed space. This increased pressure may compromise blood flow and lead to necrosis of the skin and pulp
- Commonly gets infected due to prick injuries.
- Second common infection seen in hands.
Clinical features-
- Injury to affected finger
- Thumb and index finger are also involved.
- Throbbing pain
- Pulp is indurated, red and tense is the characteristics feature.
Treatment-
- Incision & drainage- Volar longitudinal incision
Complications-
- Osteomyelitis & necrosis of terminal phalanx
- Pyogenic arthritis
- Tenosynovitis
- Neuroma
Exam Important
- Terminal pulp space infection
- A felon is a closed-space, purulent infection of the fingertip pulp.
- Felons are closed-space infections of the fingertip pulp.
- Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause.
- Thumb and index finger are the most commonly affected digits.
- Felons are characterized by marked throbbing pain, tension, and edema of the fingertip pulp.
- A felon is an infection of the distal pulp space of a digit, usually secondary to a puncture wound. This is a closed space at the level of the distal interphalangeal joint. Since the infection cannot spread proximal to this point, pain is throbbing and intense. Late osteomyelitis may develop in the distal phalanx if the felon is not opened appropriately.
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