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Nailbed laceration
From WikEM
Contents
Background
- Results from a crush injury or blunt trauma
Clinical Features
- May include one or more of the following:
- Nail avulsion (partial or complete)
- Nailbed laceration
- Distal phalanx fracture
Differential Diagnosis
- Subungual hematoma
- Distal Phalanx (Finger) Fracture
- Nailbed laceration
Workup
- Obtain xrays of the involved digits if there is suspicion for fracture
Management
- Repair simple lacerations using 5-0 or 6-0 absorbable sutures
- Trephination should be performed to allow drainage of blood after the nail is reinserted into the nail fold
- The nail may be sutured in place through the trephinated hole(s) or taped in place
- A nail-shaped adaptic or non-adherent gauze may be placed under the nail fold if the original nail is misplaced or unusable
Prognosis
- Complete nail growth may take 70 to 160 days
- Potential risk of nail deformity and losing the nail
