Kanavel’s Signs, Infection of the flexor tendons

Courtesy: Prof Nabil Ebraheim, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA

‘KANAVEL’S SIGNS

Kanavel’s signs are a group of 4 clinical criteria which suggests flexor tenosynovitis
1. Uniform swelling over the affected tendon.
2. Affected digit is held in slight flexion
3. Pain on passive extension of affected finger
4. Tenderness over affected tendon