[Surgical therapy of camptodactyly]

Camptodactyly is caused by an imbalance between the flexor and extensor forces at the proximal interphalangeal joint of the fingers. Although the etiology is not completely clear, the lumbrical muscle anomalies seem to play an important part in the pathogenesis of camptodactyly. The insertion of this intrinsic muscle often differs greatly from that described in anatomical textbooks. In our series, we transposed the lumbrical muscle and the superficial flexor tendon to the extensor tendon creating a better balance between extensor and flexor forces. Additionally, we performed skin-lengthening procedures and, if necessary, an arthrolysis of the proximal interphalangeal joint. In this study, we present a new classification of preoperative guidelines to ameliorate the operative treatment of camptodactyly.