Soil to Sheath: Nocardia Flexor Tenosynovitis in an Immunocompetent Pottery Artist

Stenosing flexing tenosynovitis (trigger finger) is a chronic, noninfectious condition of the flexor tendon sheath, whereas infectious flexor tenosynovitis is an acute hand infection that requires urgent recognition and treatment. Infectious flexor tenosynovitis involves bacterial inoculation of the flexor tendon sheath and can rapidly progress to tendon necrosis, stiffness, and even amputation if diagnosis and surgical management are delayed. It is classically associated with Kanavel's four cardinal signs and is considered a surgical emergency in the hand.