Subungual hematoma

Background

  • Consider intervention for hematoma >50% of nail bed
Subungal hematoma
All blood has been expelled through the trephination hole

Types

  • Simple - no nailbed dislocation, no e/o open fracture
  • Complex - beyond simple

Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis

Distal Finger (Including Nail) Injury

Hand and finger injuries

Management

Simple

  1. Trephination
    • Handheld cautery works best - no anesthesia is required
    • Alternatively a needle spun in a drilling fashion
    • Sharp object (i.e. safety pin) heated with flame in an austere environment
  2. If a fracture is present, the digit should be splinted
  3. Instruct pts to soak affected finger in warm water BID-TID x7d

Complex

  1. Nail removal only recommended if there is associated nail avulsion or nail fold disruption

See Also

References