Felon

Definition

 

Abscess of terminal pulp

 

Aetiology

 

Puncture wound

Paronychia or subungual abscess

 

S. aureus most common

 

Management

 

Early Antibiotics and elevation

 

Usually requires incision and drainage

 

Incision 

- lateral aspect of pulp

- unilateral longitudinal incision

- non-contact side of digit

- not too volar otherwise knocks out vessels

- must divide fibrous septa