Presentation The patient had a mild to moderate crushing injury to a fingernail, such as being caught in a closing drawer or being struck by a heavy object. The pain was initially intense but rapidly subsided over the first few…
Presentation Small, moderate-velocity metal fragments can be released when a hammer strikes a second piece of metal, such as a chisel. The patient has noticed a stinging sensation and a small puncture wound or bleeding site and is worried that…
Presentation The patient is caught on a sharp splinter (usually wooden) and either cannot grasp it, has broken it trying to remove it, or has found that it is too large and painful to remove. The history may be somewhat…
Presentation Removal of rings from fingers or toes may be required due a variety of conditions that predispose to digital swelling, such as trauma, infection, burns, peripheral edema, or arthropod assault. Sometimes chronic tight-fitting rings begin to obstruct lymphatic drainage,…
Presentation Puncture wounds are common injuries, especially in children during the summer months when protective footwear may not be worn. The risk of a puncture wound is disproportional to its size, as irrigation is difficult and the tract of the…
Presentation A patient presents with pain and redness around the piercing site. Upon inspection, there is erythema and some purulence coming from the piercing. The patient is afebrile and denies any other symptoms. Piercing complications typically fall into two categories:…
Presentation The patient presents after being stabbed or stuck with a sharp pencil point. The patient may voice concerns regarding lead poisoning due to retained pencil lead. A small puncture wound lined with graphite tattooing will be present ( Fig.…
Presentation The patient presents with finger or toe pain that has developed rapidly, either over the past several hours or over a few days. This pain is accompanied by a very red, tender swelling of the nail fold ( Fig.…
Presentation An employee presents for evaluation and treatment after an accidental needle stick injury to the hand obtained in the process of providing patient care. The employee requests postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). This chapter will discuss the risk of transmission and…
Presentation Although a needle could be embedded under any skin surface, most commonly a patient will have stepped on one while walking without shoes on a carpeted floor. In general, the patient will experience a sharp pain initially and complain…