Nail fingertip injuries

Question 1

give some examples of nail fingertip injuries

Answer 1

subungual haematoma

Question 2

when is a trephine indicated in subungual haematoma

Answer 2

if pressure on the nail causes pain

Question 3

what is a subungual haematoma

Answer 3

collection off blood underneath the nail

Question 4

describe what is a trephine

Answer 4

when a needle is heated and used to poke a whole in the nail to allow the pressure within a subungual haematoma to be released

Question 5

what is the possible outcome of a subungual haematoma

Answer 5

nail may fall off, but will grow back

Question 6

why is the nail kept if possible in nail injuries

Answer 6

it acts as a splint and to maintain the nail fold

Question 7

how are nail/nailbed injuries classified

Answer 7

level 1 to 5, level 1 = nail only, level 5 = proximal to DIP joint

Question 8

how are levels 1 and 2 of nail/nailbed injuries treated

Answer 8

with dressing only

Question 9

how are level 3 nail/nailbed injuries treated

Answer 9

by repairing nail bed and stabilising bone

Question 10

how are level 4 nail/nailbed injuries treated

Answer 10

repair nail bed + stabilise bone, unless <5mm nail bed remains, then ablate