Throughout this lockdown, I have been suffering from several issues with my hands. Besides having a relapse of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome on my right hand, another new disorder crept up – Achenbach’s Syndrome or Sudden Finger Bruising. I know this must have been contributed by the overuse of my hands. With continuous washing and cleaning (and cooking 2-3 meals a day) everyday for months on end while being quarantined at home, the excessive repetitive movement of my hands have triggered these issues on my hands and fingers.

During my 7 months on home quarantine, I’ve had two incidences of Sudden Finger Bruising on my left index finger.  On both occasions, I was in the midst of doing chores and all of a sudden, I felt an acute throbbing pain on my left index finger.  It felt like I had crushed the finger with something heavy.  Seconds later, the finger turned purplish (picture below).

Symptoms of Achenbach’s syndrome are usually described as a sudden, unexplained burning sensation or pain in one or more fingers followed by purplish or bluish bruising associated with swelling, numbness and sometimes limitation of movement. The condition can also be entirely painless, though on both of my occasions, the attacks were extremely painful. Despite the variable recurrence rate, the disease has a benign course and the bruising disappears spontaneously after a few days, with a mean resolution time of 4 days.  The most commonly affected region is the palmar surface of the left hand, involving most frequently the index followed by the middle finger, and especially the proximal or medial phalanges. Rare cases may involve the thumb.

Achenbach’s syndrome is more common in middle-aged women. The index and middle fingers are the most affected.. This disease does not spread to the fingertips, and AS is distinguishable from ischemic lesions. Specific treatment is not required, and the patient may recover spontaneously within 1 week with local rest.

Picture of a patient with a more severe attack of AS:

Achenbach’s syndrome usually recurs after the first episode and may continue to occur over the person’s lifetime.