Claw hand
Claw hand is a condition that causes curved or bent fingers. This makes the hand appear like the claw of an animal.
Considerations
Someone can be born with claw hand (congenital), or they can develop it because of certain disorders, such as a nerve injury.
Causes
Causes may include:
- Congenital abnormality
- Genetic diseases, such as from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of disorders passed down through families that affect the nerves outside the brain and spine. These are calle...
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Nerve damage in the arm
Nerve damage
Ulnar nerve dysfunction is a problem with one of the nerves that travel from the shoulder to the hand, called the ulnar nerve. It helps you move you...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Scarring after a severe burn of the hand or forearm
- Rare infections, such as leprosy
Leprosy
Leprosy is a disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. This disease causes skin sores, nerve damage, and muscle weakness that gets worse...
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When to Contact a Medical Professional
If the condition is congenital, it is usually diagnosed at birth. If you notice claw hand developing, contact your health care provider.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your provider will examine you and look closely at your hands and feet. You will be asked questions about your medical history and symptoms.
The following tests may be done to check for nerve damage:
-
Electromyography (EMG) to check the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles
Electromyography
Electromyography (EMG) is a test that checks the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles.
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Nerve conduction studies to check how fast electrical signals move through a nerve
Nerve conduction studies
Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is a test to see how fast electrical signals move through a nerve. This test is done along with electromyography (EM...
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Treatment depends on the cause. It may include:
- Splinting
- Surgery to fix problems that may be contributing to the claw hand, such as nerve or tendon problems, joint contractures, or scar tissue
Joint contractures
A contracture develops when normally stretchy (elastic) tissues are replaced by nonstretchy (inelastic) fiber-like tissue. This tissue makes it hard...
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Tendon transfer (graft) to allow movement of the hand and wrist
Tendon transfer (graft)
Tendon repair is surgery to repair damaged or torn tendons.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Hand therapy to straighten the fingers
Reviewed By
C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Bauer B, Chaise F. Correction of ulnar claw hand and Wartenberg's sign. Hand Surg Rehabil. 2022;41S:S118-S127. PMID: 34311132 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34311132/.
Davis TRC. Tendon transfers for median, radial, and ulnar nerve palsy. In: Wolfe SW, Pederson WC, Kozin SH, Cohen MS. Green's Operative Hand Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 31.
Feldscher SB. Therapy management of tendon transfers. In: Skirven TM, Osterman AL, Fedorczyk JM, Amadio PC, Feldscher SB, Shin EK, eds. Rehabilitation of the Hand and Upper Extremity. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 44.
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