Treatment of Extensive Phalangeal Osteomyelitis Due to Onychophagia: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

The onychophagia is a relatively common habitual behavior in children. Cosmetic problem is frequently involved, but it can lead to serious morbidity such as damage to nail, paronychia, secondary bacterial infections, dental problems and the phalangeal osteomyelitis. We report one case of surgically treated phalangeal osteomyelitis of distal interphalangeal joint of long finger using shortening procedure in an onychophagia patient.