high-pressure injection hand injury

Etiology

• puncture wound from high-pressure injection
• wounds caused by high-prssure injection devices such as grease guns or paint guns

Pathology

• the injected contents spread along fascial planes, tendon sheaths & neurovascular bundles

Clinical manifestations

• initial presentation of high-pressure injection puncture wounds is generally unimpressive despite significant injury to deep tissues

Complications

• failure to appreciate the severity of high-pressure injection puncture wounds can lead to delay in diagnosis & worse outcomes, including amputation

Management

• surgical emergency - hand surgery consult
  • extensive surgical debridement & decompression of compartments of the hand within 6 hours may reduce the need for amputation

More general terms

• hand injury