Your hands help you do so many things - hold a pencil, button a shirt or hug someone you love. But not all hands form in the same way before birth. Some children are born with differences in the shape, size or number of fingers. These are called congenital hand differences.
At Banner Children’s, we understand how important it is for your child to live a full, active life. We’re here to help you understand your child’s conditions, explore treatment options and connect you with the right care.
Congenital hand differences are conditions that are present at birth. They change the shape, size or function of a baby’s hand or fingers. These differences happen early in pregnancy.
Most hand differences do not run in families (hereditary). Sometimes hands and fingers develop differently for no apparent reason. They aren’t preventable and many can’t be diagnosed before birth.
Some of these conditions are easy to see. Others involve the bones, soft tissues, tendons or joints and may need imaging tests to diagnose. Some children have a hand that looks different but works well. Others may have a hand that makes everyday tasks harder.
If your child has a hand difference, you will need to see a pediatric orthopedic or hand specialist to understand the condition and plan the best treatment.
Early care can:
No matter what kind of difference your child has, Banner Children’s pediatric orthopedic specialists can help. We’ll guide your child’s care plan and help them meet important milestones.
There are many types of congenital hand differences. Some children have a small change in one part of the hand. Others have more complex differences that affect the entire hand, arm or both.
These differences can show up in a few ways:
Each child’s condition is unique. The most common congenital hand conditions we treat include:
In this condition, two or more fingers (or toes) are joined together by skin, soft tissue and/or bone. Syndactyly often happens between the middle and ring fingers. It can affect function and appearance, depending on how the fingers are connected.
Surgery to separate the fingers can help your child use their hand more easily and improve the appearance of their hand.
Polydactyly means a child is born with one or more extra fingers or toes (poly means “many”). The extra digits might be small and soft or fully formed. They may appear next to the thumb or pinky. Sometimes, they can be between the fingers, but this is more rare.
Surgeons often remove the extra finger, especially if it impairs movement.
Cleft hand is a rare condition. Fingers or parts of fingers may be missing or underdeveloped. This leaves a V-shaped gap or cleft, which can affect how the hand looks and functions.
Cleft hand can occur in one or both hands. Treatment can help improve function.
In radial club hand, the radius bone (on the thumb side of the forearm) doesn’t develop fully or is missing. This causes the wrist to curve toward the thumb side and may also affect the thumb’s development.
A radial club hand can happen in one or both arms. Children with this condition often need both therapy and surgery.
Learn more about radial club hand.
If your child’s thumb is very small, weak or missing, they may have trouble grasping objects. This condition is known as thumb hypoplasia or a hypoplastic thumb.
Treatment may include surgery to strengthen or rebuild the thumb. Sometimes, the surgeon will remove the thumb and move the index finger to the thumb position to act as the new thumb.
Learn more about thumb hypoplasia.
This condition happens when fibrous bands of the amniotic sac (the lining inside the uterus that holds the baby) wrap around parts of the developing baby. These bands can cut off blood flow – acting like a rubber band – and cause grooves, swelling or loss of fingers or toes.
Treatment focuses on improving function and preventing further damage.
Learn more about constriction band syndrome.
Trigger thumb is a thumb that locks in a bent position. It happens when the tendon that helps the thumb move becomes thick or stuck. You may notice a bump at the base of the thumb or that your child can’t fully straighten it.
Trigger thumb is different from trigger finger or trigger thumb in adults. Children with this condition often need surgery to allow the tendon to move smoothly. Therapy and splinting can help with this problem, but for patients who do not improve, surgery is recommended.
Learn more about trigger thumb in children.
Macrodactyly causes one or more fingers or toes to grow larger than normal. This happens because of extra growth in the bones and soft tissue. The size difference can make it harder to use the hand or fit into clothes or shoes.
Surgical treatment of this condition is complex. Sometimes, amputation is recommended.
Learn more about macrodactyly.
Every child is different. Some hand differences may not need treatment at all. Others may benefit from a combination of therapies and surgery.
Common treatment options include:
The goal of any care plan is to support your child’s growth, independence and overall well-being.
At Banner Children’s, we treat the whole child — not just their hand condition.
We offer:
We work with your entire family to create the best care plan for your child’s future.
We know it can be stressful to have a child with a hand difference. Our team is ready to help you find answers and build a plan that works.
Schedule an appointment today with a pediatric hand and orthopedic specialist at Banner Children’s.
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