Background: Current guidance for the management of septic arthritis is limited to large joints and, therefore, unspecific to the small joints of the hand, which may present differently, require different diagnostic approaches, and have different complications. The aim of this article was to review current treatment trends for the management of small joint septic arthritis (SJSA) of the hand and offer guidelines for its management. Methods: A systematic review was carried out according to PRISMA guidelines and a survey distributed to Fellows of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand to establish expert opinion. The review and survey were combined to present a set of specific SJSA of the hand infection guidelines. Results: All 20 included studies recommended physical drainage of infected joint fluid; subsequent lavage and early antibiotic therapy, with physiotherapist-guided joint mobilisation. Statistical analysis of the 77 responses to our survey revealed that (in order of preference) the diagnosis was made by history and examination, blood tests, joint aspiration and vital signs; and for interventions: joint elevation and intravenous antibiotics; then joint washout repeated within 48 hours, if necessary. Conclusions: Small joint infection differs from large joint infection because it is difficult to obtain joint aspirate without damaging or opening the joint. We, therefore, recommend utilising exclusion blood tests, imaging and the clinical picture to establish the diagnosis and implement early treatment and rehabilitation. Level of Evidence: Level III.
Keywords: Hand surgery; Plastic surgery; Reconstructive surgery; Septic arthritis; Septic joint.