Flexor tenosynovitis. An anatomically driven urgency in hand infections. A case report

Background: Hand infections are a common clinical problem ranging from superficial to life- and limb-threatening conditions, necessitating prompt and appropriate management. The historical emphasis on surgical drainage, pioneered by figures like Kanavel based on detailed anatomical studies, remains a cornerstone of treatment for deep infections. Timely and anatomically informed surgical drainage remains the primary treatment for these deep infections, often combined with organism-specific antibiotics guided by culture results. This paper will explore the intricate interplay of hand anatomy, the evolving understanding of infection pathogenesis, and current surgical and antibiotic management strategies to optimize outcomes in patients with hand infections. We present the case of a 52-year-old male with a deep space hand infection treated with surgical drainage, intravenous antibiotics and irrigation, pointing the importance of appropriate treatment in the discussion and review of literature. Keywords: Hand infections, tenosynovitis.