Acupuncture-related Digital Joint Infection Managed With Staged Surgery And Oral Antibiotic Therapy

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Medical Microbiology

Background:

• Acupuncture, while generally safe, carries a risk of infection from inadequate aseptic techniques.
• Gram-negative bacillus infections of the hand, particularly osteoarticular infections, are uncommon and pose diagnostic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of digital osteoarticular infection following acupuncture.
• To describe the diagnostic and therapeutic approach for this rare complication.

Main Methods:

• A 73-year-old female patient presented with symptoms of infection in two fingers post-acupuncture.
• Involved digits underwent sterile specimen collection for culture and sensitivity testing.
• Treatment involved surgical debridement, antibiotic-loaded bone cement, and susceptibility-guided antimicrobial therapy (intravenous ceftriaxone transitioning to oral levofloxacin).

Main Results:

• Cultures identified Morganella morganii and Proteus mirabilis in the affected fingers.
• The patient showed complete wound healing, pain reduction, and functional recovery at 6-week follow-up.
• Radiographs confirmed bone consolidation without signs of recurrent infection at 3 months.

Conclusions:

• A staged approach combining surgical intervention, microbiological diagnosis, and tailored antibiotic therapy can yield positive short-term outcomes for acupuncture-related digital osteoarticular infections.
• Oral levofloxacin may be a viable option for completing treatment in selected cases after initial infection control, warranting further investigation.