- Children’s Orthopaedic & Spine Care Clinic
Children can experience a variety of forearm, wrist, and hand deformities that can significantly impact their daily activities and quality of life. Understanding the different types of deformities, their causes, symptoms, and available treatments is crucial for early detection and effective management.
Radial club hand is a congenital deformity characterized by the underdevelopment or absence
of the radius bone in the forearm, resulting in a curved or shortened forearm and little
wrist and hand movement. The exact cause of radial club hand is unknown, but it is believed
to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms of radial club hand
include a visibly curved forearm, limited wrist and thumb movement, and a more petite or
missing thumb.
Treatment options for radial club hand include surgical interventions, such as the
correction of bone alignment and lengthening procedures, as well as the use of specialized
orthotic devices to promote proper hand and wrist function.
Congenital radioulnar synostosis is a condition where the radius and ulna bones in the
forearm are fused, resulting in limited rotation and movement of the forearm. The exact
cause of congenital radioulnar synostosis is unknown, but it is believed to result from
abnormal development during fetal development.
Symptoms include the inability to fully rotate the forearm and limited movement of the wrist
and hand. Treatment options for congenital radioulnar synostosis may include surgical
intervention to separate the fused bones and restore forearm movement and physical therapy
to improve the range of motion and strength.
Madelung deformity is a wrist deformity characterized by the abnormal growth of the radius,
leading to a tilted and distorted wrist joint. The exact cause of Madelung deformity is not
fully understood, but it is believed to be related to disruptions in bone growth during
childhood. Symptoms include pain, limited wrist movement, and visible deformity of the wrist
joint.
Treatment options for Madelung deformity may include conservative management with splinting
and physical therapy to alleviate symptoms or surgical intervention to correct the deformity
and improve wrist function.
Trigger thumb, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a hand deformity characterized by
the inability to straighten or extend the thumb smoothly. It occurs when the flexor tendon
becomes inflamed or thickened, causing it to catch or lock when attempting to extend the
thumb.
The exact cause of the trigger thumb is often unknown, but it can be associated with
repetitive thumb motion or certain medical conditions. Symptoms include a clicking or
popping sensation when attempting to extend the thumb, stiffness, and pain. Treatment
options for trigger thumb may include non-surgical interventions such as splinting,
medication to reduce inflammation, and hand exercises to improve thumb movement. In some
cases, surgical release of the affected tendon may be necessary to alleviate symptoms and
restore normal thumb function.
Thumb-in-Palm Deformity
Thumb-in-palm deformity, a congenital metacarpal thumb, is a condition where the thumb is
positioned within the palm rather than fully extended. It is usually present at birth and
can be caused by thumb bones, tendons, or muscle abnormalities. Symptoms include:
Finger deformities in children can result from various factors such as genetic conditions,
trauma, or abnormal development. These deformities may include conditions such as syndactyly
(fusion of fingers), polydactyly (extra fingers), clinodactyly (curved fingers), or
brachydactyly (short fingers). The causes and symptoms of finger deformities can vary
depending on the condition.
Treatment options for finger deformities may involve surgical procedures to separate fused
fingers, remove extra fingers, straighten curved fingers, or lengthen short fingers.
Rehabilitation, including hand therapy, may also be recommended to improve finger function
and skill.