An Overview of Clinodactyly And Its Treatment And Diagnosis
A child who is diagnosed with Clinodactyly is usually found to have an abnormally curved finger. Though it is very uncommon, it is almost found in 3 percent of the babies in the general population. It is more common in boys as compared to girls.
What is Clinodactyly?
When a child is found to have an abnormally bent curved finger than he is diagnosed with a congenital condition called Clinodactyly. The unusual growth of the curved finger may be caused by the growth of abnormal finger bone or by the abnormal growth of a finger bone plate having atypical shape.
The abnormal finger functions well and doesn’t hurt but it might make a child self-conscious. It is sometimes the thumb that vents away from the other fingers.
What Causes Clinodactyly?
In some of the cases, it could be an inherited condition whereas in cases, it is due to Down Syndrome. Down syndrome affects about one in four children. It is unclear why some children face Clinodactyly whereas others don’t. There may be the genetic component, though the babies diagnosed with Clinodactyly are first in their families.
How is it Diagnosed?
In mild cases, clinodactyly is found unnoticeable, until the children get a few years older. Though it can be diagnosed shortly after birth. A thorough physical examination of the hand of the child is required, including the range-of-motion tests in order to check whether the motion of hand and coordination is affected or not. X-rays might also be taken in order to confirm the diagnoses of clinodactyly. Prenatal ultrasound might be helpful in detecting the Clinodactyly but there is no treatment that is possible when the baby is in the womb.
What are the possible treatment options for Clinodactyly?
As Clinodactyly doesn’t cause any symptoms and doesn’t even affect the use of fingers, the doctor might not recommend any treatment. However, splinting the finger with other neighboring fingers is not recommended to straighten it. It might affect the growth and health of the finger. When the curve of the finger is more than 30 degrees then surgical treatment might be necessary as the hand function may be compromised. Surgeries give the best results when your child is young and bones are growing.
Surgery Usually Involves
- Taking out the wedge-shaped section of curved bone
- Stabilizes the finger
- Ensures that bones and tissues are lined up properly,
This operation involves an orthopedic surgeon as well as a plastic surgeon. The doctors then finally check whether the function of the finger is retained or improved. He also ensures that the appearance of the finger is as normal as possible.
With the help of proper treatment, the mobility of the finger can be restored and it could be straightened. You should talk with your doctor about whether this is the right time for the surgery of your child’s finger. Each child faces different severity of the condition which can vary. Hence the treatment and recovery may also vary.