2004 Infectious and Inflammatory Flexor Tenosynovitis eMedicine Orthopedics

Description: Flexor tenosynovitis (FT) is a pathophysiologic state causing disruption of normal flexor tendon function in the hand. A variety of etiologies are responsible for this process. Most acute cases of FT are the result of infection. However, FT also can be secondary to acute or chronic inflammation as a result of diabetes, overuse, or arthritis. Much of the original work on infectious FT was done by Kanavel. If a patient presents with the 4 Kanavel signs, septic FT is diagnosed. The 4 Kanavel signs are (1) finger held in slight flexion, (2) fusiform swelling, (3) tenderness along the flexor tendon sheath, and (4) pain with passive extension of the digit. The process has the ability to rapidly destroy a finger's functional capacity and is considered an orthopedic emergency.
Synonyms and related keywords: acute flexor tenosynovitis, flexor tendon sheath infection, flexor tenosynovitis, pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis, suppurative flexor tenosynovitis, septic flexor tenosynovitis
Likes & Ghidella 2004 Updated 2009