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Congenital Clasped Thumb

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Congenital Anomalies of the Upper Extremity

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Abstract

Congenital clasped thumb is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by inability to actively extend the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb.

The thumb is located in flexion adduction position. It may be an isolated deformity, but it is most common for it to be a part of generalized disorder, commonly arthrogryposis. It is classified into supple deformity, where passive correction of the deformity is possible, and complex deformity, where soft tissue contractures prevent passive extension and abduction of the thumb. Early splinting and manipulation are effective methods for treatment of supple deformity. Surgery is required after failure of non-operative treatment or in complex deformity. Surgery is tailored according to the deformity present. Surgical treatment consists of variable combinations of tendon transfer, release of palmar contracture and web release, skin augmentation of web space and palmar skin deficiency, stabilization of metacarpophalangeal joint, and flexor pollicis longus lengthening.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Kasr Al Ainy University Hospital, Cairo University, Al-Saray Street, El Manial, Cairo, 11956, Egypt

    Hisham Abdel-Ghani M.D. & Mostafa Mahmoud M.D.

Authors
  1. Hisham Abdel-Ghani M.D.
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  2. Mostafa Mahmoud M.D.
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Correspondence to Hisham Abdel-Ghani M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fletcher Allen Health Care and Vermont Children’s Hospital, Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics, University of Vermont School of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA

    Donald R. Laub Jr.

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Abdel-Ghani, H., Mahmoud, M. (2015). Congenital Clasped Thumb. In: Laub Jr., D. (eds) Congenital Anomalies of the Upper Extremity. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7504-1_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7504-1_18

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