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Bilateral hand malformations with absence of carpal bones with fusion of proximal metacarpals
Ravindra Muralidhar Gurav1, Annasaheb B Patil
1Orthopaedic clinic, Belgaum, Karnataka, India.
Insights
This case study details a 14-year-old boy with a congenital left hand deformity, characterized by restricted wrist movement and ulnar deviation. The findings highlight a rare presentation of congenital hand anomaly.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Orthopedic surgery
- Clinical case reports
Background:
- Congenital hand deformities represent a spectrum of developmental anomalies affecting hand and wrist structures.
- Early identification and characterization are crucial for understanding etiology and planning management strategies.
- This report focuses on a unique case of congenital hand deformity presenting in adolescence.
Observation:
- A 14-year-old male presented with a lifelong left hand deformity.
- Clinical examination revealed complete palmar flexion restriction, limited active dorsiflexion (30°), and exaggerated passive dorsiflexion.
- The left hand exhibited significant ulnar deviation; a small right index finger was also noted. No other dysmorphic features were present.
Findings:
- The patient displayed a congenital left hand deformity with severe wrist motion limitations.
- Ulnar deviation of the hand and hyperextensibility during passive dorsiflexion were key clinical findings.
- The absence of pain or tenderness suggests a non-inflammatory, structural etiology.
Implications:
- This case underscores the variability in congenital hand anomalies and their clinical manifestations.
- Understanding such presentations aids in differential diagnosis for pediatric hand conditions.
- Further investigation may be warranted to elucidate the specific genetic or developmental pathways involved.
Abstract:
A 14-year-old boy presented with a deformity of his left hand since birth. His parents were nonconsanguineous and his early history was uneventful. The mother was not exposed to any teratogenic drugs during pregnancy. His other siblings are normal. The parents noticed the hand deformity at birth but he had not come to medical attention until he complained of restricted movement of the left hand at the wrist. On examination he did not have any pain on movement of the wrist nor tenderness over the wrist joint. Palmar flexion was restricted completely and active dorsiflexion was restricted in the last 30°. Further passive dorsiflexion was exaggerated and the middle finger could touch the dorsal aspect of the forearm. The hand was deviated to the ulnar side. The patient was of normal stature and had no dysmorphic features. The index finger of the right hand was noted to be small. His feet were normal
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