Osteomyelitis complicating three types of traumatic hand wound

Both patients and clinicians can underestimate the seriousness and potential complications of osteomyelitis of wounds to the hand. Osteomyelitis is often caused by delayed or inadequate treatment of wounds, but it is rare in the hand because of the extensive blood supply in this region. Once established, however, it is associated with significant morbidity and functional loss. Nearly half of all fingers affected by osteomyelitis ultimately require amputation and many others remain stiff or persistently symptomatic.