Specialized Care for Congenital Hand Conditions

At OrthoCarolina’s Congenital Hand & Upper Extremity Clinic we specialize in treating congenital differences of the upper extremities. The orthopedic specialists at our Congenital Hand Clinic are uniquely qualified to provide high-caliber, comprehensive care for your child. The access to a wide range of providers and specialists all in one place sets OrthoCarolina apart when it comes to treatment of  congenital differences, and you can trust us to be the better choice for you and your child.

Conditions Treated at OrthoCarolina’s Congenital Hand Clinic

Congenital hand differences are atypical formations of the hand that are present at birth. The clinicians at our Congenital Hand Clinic are highly specialized in treating and managing congenital hand differences. 

According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), there are seven classifications for congenital hand differences: 

• Issues with formation of hand parts (Radial clubhand, Ulnar club hand)
• Failure of parts of the hand to separate (Syndactyly)
• Duplications of fingers (Polydactyly)
• Undergrowth of fingers (absence of finger, missing bones or muscles, atypical finger size)
• Overgrowth of fingers (macrodactyly)
• Congenital constriction band syndrome (tissue band formed around a finger or arm)
• Generalized issues of the skeletal system 

The team of providers at our Congenital Hand & Upper Extremity Clinic are specially equipped to evaluate and treat congenital hand and finger differences. Our specialists at OrthoCarolina know that differences in the hands and fingers can become a significant challenge as children grow and develop, so prioritize providing unique, comprehensive solutions that take each individual patient’s situation in mind.

Specialists at OrthoCarolina’s Congenital Hand Clinic

Your child or newborn will be in the hands of a multidisciplinary team including: 

• Fellowship-trained hand surgeons with expertise in congenital hand problems
• Pediatric orthopedists
• Pediatric neurologists
• Hand therapists

Causes of congenital hand conditions can vary, which is why the range of specialists at our Congenital Hand Clinic are the better option when it comes to treatment. Your child or newborn will be evaluated and cared for by several different specialists, so regardless of which kind of congenital upper-extremity condition your child has, or the cause, our team of specialists is highly qualified to evaluate the difference and provide the best possible treatment plan.

Treatment of Congenital Hand Differences

Treatment will greatly depend on your child’s individual case. The orthopedic specialists at OrthoCarolina always consider both surgical and non-surgical options for treatment. 

Some mild congenital hand differences can be treated with non-operative techniques, but for some cases, surgery is the best form of treatment.

Some of the factors that will be considered by your team of specialists may include: 

• Your child's age, general health, and additional conditions
• Severity of the upper extremity difference
• Cause of the difference
• Your child's personal tolerance for medications, procedures, or therapies
• Your personal choice as a parent

Because certain upper extremity congenital conditions may not be life threatening, the decision to treat a difference with surgery may be a matter of personal opinion. Your surgeon and team of specialists will talk about your options in-depth with you to ensure you’re given all the information to make the best choice for your child.

Some options for treatment of congenital hand differences include: 

• Limb manipulation and stretching
• Splinting of the affected limbs
• Tendon transfers
• Use of external appliances (to help realign misshapen fingers or hands)
• Occupational therapy (to help increase the strength and function of the hand)
• Correction of contractures
• Skin grafts - these involve replacing or attaching skin to a part of the hand that is missing skin or has been removed during a procedure.
• Prosthetics - these may be used when surgery is not an option, or in addition to surgical correction.

Recovery and Management of Congenital Orthopedic Conditions

Congenital orthopedic conditions may require surgery, which means postoperative check-ups, observation for any complications, and getting used to your body feeling very different. OrthoCarolina’s Congenital Hand & Upper Extremity Clinic is equipped with the variety of specialists needed to expertly care for your child at every step of the way.

Other congenital orthopedic conditions might not need surgical intervention, but may require long-term management and care or further treatment down the line. The orthopedic team at OrthoCarolina’s Congenital Hand & Upper Extremity Clinic is highly specialized in these specific conditions, and are the better choice for care when it comes to deciding on a treatment plan for your child.

At OrthoCarolina you and your child can rely on thoughtful and comprehensive treatment of congenital orthopedic conditions. Our clinics provide patients with access to a variety of orthopedic specialists who can provide high quality treatment.