<s>[INST] I cut my knuckle with a handsaw about 2 months ago. I treated the cut with antiseptic and it didn t seem to get infected; the cut healed fine. But ever since then, that knuckle has been red and swollen and very tender and painful. I m wondering if I injured the bone or if its infected or what.... [/INST] Knucke area is peculiar in the sense that the knuckle joint is just beneath the skin. Therefore any seemingly superficial skin injury in the knuckles especially open wounds is of concern to us orthopedic surgeons' BEC there is a high likelihood that bacteria and other foreign body can easily penetrate the joint and be left there. This injury can be easily missed out and be treated as a superficial skin wound. Skin can heal but if there is continued swelling here are possible causes you have an infection of the tendonoryou have an infection of the join tor you have an infection of the boner lastly it can be an abscess BEC of retained bacteria just underneath the ski nits very less likely to injure a bone(fracture) via table saw injury...bones are strong against slicing forces so less likely. Bones are more often injured via bending twisting or crushing. </s>