Abstract
Congenital clasped thumb is a flexion-adduction deformity at the MP joint where the palmar surface of the thumb characteristically rests tightly flexed against the palm of the hand beneath the four digits (Fig. 26.1). Newborns normally tend to maintain the thumb beneath the flexed fingers for the first 3–6 months [1]. In utero the hand is held in a fist position with the digits overlapping the clasped thumb. In this physiologic posture the thumb is supple, the deformity is passively correctable, and the infant spontaneously extends all joints of the thumb. Congenital clasped thumb is more often bilateral than unilateral [2] and is seen in males twice as often as females [2]. Congenital clasped thumb is not very common and typically the result of hypoplasia or absence of a portion of the extensor musculotendinous unit. Secondary skin deficiencies both palmar and first web space, collateral ligament tightness, palmar plate contracture, and abnormal configurations of the joint surfaces may develop. Observation of the resting posture of the thumb and the position of its three joints will help localize the specific anatomic problem in many cases (Fig. 26.2).
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© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Rayan, G.M., Upton III, J. (2014). Congenital Clasped Thumb. In: Congenital Hand Anomalies and Associated Syndromes. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54610-5_26
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54610-5_26
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