Asian Journal of Orthopaedic Research

Purpose: To assess the epidemiological, clinical morbidity, therapeutic modalities, and preventing these serious injuries.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed on 138 patients seen and treated at the trauma department of Nabeul hospital, collected for a period of 5 years (January 2010 to January 2015).

Results: One hundred thirty-eight patients treated for diabetic hand infections are made of a population of the older patient; the average age is 50 years, male, the dominant side is reached in 60% patients. 70% of patients are T2D with degenerative complications. Lesions were divided into 70 paronychia and felons, phlegmon cellular spaces of the hand 40 cases, flexor tenosynovitis 7 cases, cellulitis 6 cases, and 15 cases of arthritis and osteoarthritis. The treatment consisted of excision of necrotic and infected tissues; stabilization with external fixation for arthritis, skin reconstruction was performed secondarily, antibiotics, and equilibration of plasma sugar. The result was good in 80% of cases but the prognosis was bad for cellulitis and osteoarthritis.

Conclusions: Infections of the hand in diabetics are a very serious condition that impairs the function of the hand and the vital prognosis of the patient. The early, specialized, and multidisciplinary care help to have good results.