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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Plast Surg 2010; 43(01): 097-100
DOI: 10.4103/0970-0358.63971
Case Report
Association of Plastic Surgeons of India

Hazards of steroid injection: Suppurative extensor tendon rupture

Colin Yi-Loong Woon
Department of Hand Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, National University Hospital, Singapore
,
Ee-San Phoon
1   Department of Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery, National University Hospital, Singapore
,
Jonathan Yi-Liang Lee
Department of Hand Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, National University Hospital, Singapore
,
Siew-Weng Ng
Department of Hand Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, National University Hospital, Singapore
,
Lam-Chuan Teoh
Department of Hand Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, National University Hospital, Singapore
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
08 January 2020 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Local steroid injections are often administered in the office setting for treatment of trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, and basal joint arthritis. If attention is paid to sterile technique, infectious complications are rare. We present a case of suppurative extensor tenosynovitis arising after local steroid injection for vague symptoms of dorsal hand and wrist pain. The progression of signs and symptoms following injection suggests a natural history involving bacterial superinfection leading to tendon rupture. We discuss the pitfalls of local steroid injection and the appropriate management of infectious extensor tenosynovitis arising in such situations.

KEY WORDS

Tenosynovitis - tendon rupture - extensor tendon - infection
 

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