Subungual hematoma
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Subungual hematoma | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
 Subungual hematoma of the left big toe |
|
| ICD-10 | L60.8 (ILDS L60.872) |
| ICD-9 | & 923.3 924.3 & 923.3 |
| eMedicine | article/827104 article/82926 |
A subungual hematoma is a collection of blood (hematoma) underneath a toenail or fingernail. It can be extremely painful for an injury of its size although otherwise it is not a serious medical condition. A subungual hematoma that results from the repetative thrusting of the longest toe into a shoe's toe box is called jogger's toe.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Causes
It often results from a traumatic injury such as slamming a finger in a door. The bleeding comes from the (vascular) nail bed underlying the (avascular) nail plate. A laceration of the nail bed causes bleeding into the constricted area underneath the hard nail plate.[2] Throbbing pain is common. The nail develops a black discoloration overlying the nail bed but under the nail plate.
[edit] Treatment
Subungual hematomas are treated by either releasing the pressure by drilling a hole through the nail into the hematoma (trephining) or by removing the entire nail. Trephining is generally accomplished by using a heated instrument to pass through the nail into the blood clot. Removal of the nail is typically done when the nail itself is disrupted, a large laceration requiring suturing is suspected, or there is a fracture of the tip of the finger. Although anesthesia is generally not required, a digital nerve block may be performed if the nail is to be removed. Subungual hematomas typically heal without incident, though infection or disruption of the nail (onycholysis) may occur.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1724877/pdf/v038p00498.pdf
- ^ Selbst, SM, Attia, M (2006). Textbook Of Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Hagerstown, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 1571 "Lacerations". ISBN 0781750741.
