Camptodactyly

If any of your child’s fingers, most often their pinky finger, won’t bend completely straight, they may have camptodactyly. In rare cases the condition can cause pain and swelling. If the condition is present in multiple fingers, it can cause mild overlap.

In young children, the arched finger may disappear when they flex their wrist. The finger or fingers can start to stay arched as the child grows into adolescence.

Consult your healthcare provider if your child’s bent finger is making it hard for their hand to function normally.

Camptodactyly is caused by hereditary factors, but can also occur very rarely in other cases.

There are several theories about why the fingers won’t bend straight:

• The muscles and tendons in the finger are not balanced correctly.
• Extra skin or tissue is preventing the finger from becoming straight.
• The surrounding ligaments are not working properly.

Your doctor will be able to determine the presence of camptodactyly by examining your child’s hand.

Camptodactyly can be treated several ways, but may not need treatment at all. Treatment options include:

• Physical therapy. Physical therapy is the best treatment method, but requires a daily stretching routine that can take up to two hours.
• Splinting. Splinting can work, but there is a chance that the condition will return once the splint is removed.
• Surgery. Surgery can sometimes correct the condition, but is the option that should be considered last.

In the cases of splinting and surgery, treatment is not usually successful. It may be best for your child to learn how to live with the condition. Counseling can help children and adolescents come to terms with chronic conditions like camptodactyly.

Since camptodactyly is a hereditary condition that appears at birth or develops over time, it cannot be prevented.

Camptodactyly [CAMP-toh-dak-tih-lee], also known as a fixed flexion [FLEK-shuhn] deformity, is a condition where your child cannot bend their finger completely straight. The finger or fingers will instead have an arch-like shape. The condition usually affects only the pinky finger, but can be in other fingers as well. It is very rare and exists in only 1% of the population.

There are two types of camptodactyly:

• Infant. Infant camptodactyly occurs in the first year of your child’s life, and is more common than the other type. Infant camptodactyly affects both sexes equally.
• Teenage. Teenage camptodactyly occurs during adolescence and is mostly found in girls.

Camptodactyly can be treated several ways:

• Physical therapy
• Surgery
• Splinting

Physical therapy works well at reducing the condition, but requires you and your child to do a daily stretching routine that can take up to 2 hours.

Surgery is not the most effective method of treatment, with fewer than half of patients improving. Splinting is a better option, but the finger may bend again once the splint has been removed.

In many cases, it is better for your child to learn to live with the bent finger, since, in most cases, they can still use their hand effectively. If the condition is causing problems for your child, it is important to seek medical treatment.