A 25-year-old member asked:
What is wrong if my finger joint keeps swelling up every 2 to 3 months after being bitten by a cat?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. John Ayresanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 38 years experience
Maybe its infected.: All human and animal bites are dirty wounds prone to infection because bacteria in the mouth is introduced into the bite wound. Different animals have different types of bacteria, but once they get into the joint they begin to destroy the cartilage which leads to "septic" arthritis. If you have had a bite wound over a jont it is a serious injury that should be evaluated by a trained professional.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Brian Chimentianswered
Sports Medicine 28 years experience
Cat bite: Go see your doctor. Recurrent swelling and pain after a cat bite could represent an infection. Other possibilities could include joint, tendon, ligament damage caused by the puncture wound. Inflammatory issues such as synovitis or even arthritis could cause recurrent symptoms as well.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Nov 3, 2016
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