Specialized Hand & Wrist Care in Colorado Springs

Congenital Defects of the Hand and Wrist

Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group

Your hands and wrists play an important role in nearly everything you do, from working and exercising to performing everyday activities. Injuries, arthritis, nerve conditions, tendon problems, and other disorders can cause pain, weakness, stiffness, or loss of function.

CSOG provides comprehensive care for conditions affecting the hand, wrist, fingers, and surrounding structures. Our specialists offer a range of nonsurgical and surgical treatments, including therapy, injections, minimally invasive procedures, and advanced surgical techniques when appropriate.

Whether you are dealing with a new injury or a condition that has gradually affected your function, our team will evaluate your individual needs and develop a treatment plan focused on relieving symptoms, restoring function, and helping you return to the activities you enjoy.

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What are Congenital Defects of the Hand and Wrist?

The hand and wrist are formed during the 8th week of gestation. This process consists of various steps and failure in any one or more of these steps may cause congenital or birth defects. The deformities may be major (absence of a bone) or minor (disproportion of a finger).

Types of Congenital Defects of the Hand and Wrist

The various types of hand and wrist defects include:

• Missing parts of the hand
• Webbed or fused fingers (syndactyly)
• Presence of extra fingers (polydactyl)
• Congenital constriction band syndrome (formation of a band of tissue around a finger, restricting normal growth and blood flow)
• Undergrowth or overgrowth of the different parts of the hand

Treatments for Congenital Defects of the Hand and Wrist

The congenital conditions of the hand and wrist are treated based on various factors such as your child’s age, severity of the condition and cause of the condition. The different treatments include:

• Surgical separation of the webbed fingers
• Removal of the extra finger
• Use of splints to realign the fingers
• Tendon transfers
• Physical therapy to increase the strength in your hand
• Skin grafts to fill in the missing parts of the hand
• Correction of contractures