80 “To Freeze or Not to Freeze, That Is the Question”: A Case of Septic Arthritis in a Finger Resulting from Cryotherapy for Warts

Abstract

Aim Cryotherapy is a common treatment for a variety of skin conditions; however, it has to be performed with care due to the risks of inadvertent tissue damage including burns, damage to healthy tissue, and scarring. We report on the first case of septic arthritis developing post cryotherapy to a digit. Method A 57yr-old female retired podiatrist who five days prior received cryotherapy, by a Dermatologist, for a long standing presumed viral wart on the dorsum of her hand. Results septic arthritis to the distal interphalangeal joint. Conclusions -The delicate skin and tissues over the dorsum of the fingers and hand can result in significant trauma. Care must be exercised in these areas to prevent full-thickness wounds that involve the joint and result in septic arthritis and functional disability.