Health Encyclopedia

Claw hand

Definition

Claw hand is a condition that causes curved or bent fingers. This makes the hand appear like the claw of an animal.

Considerations

Claw hand can be something that someone is born with (congenital) or that they develop because of certain disorders, such as nerve injury.

Common Causes

Congenital abnormality
Nerve damage

Call your health care provider if

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 health care provider's office

The health care provider will perform a physical examination. This examination may include extra attention to the hands and feet.

The health care provider will also ask for your medical history. Medical history questions may include:

Time pattern
- When did you first notice the abnormal hand shape?
- Is it getting worse?
Does it affect both hands?
Do other symptoms occur at the same time?

Your doctor may order other studies, such as electromyography (EMG), or nerve conduction studies to evaluate for nerve damage.

TREATMENT

Treatment depends on the cause of the deformity. It may include:

Splinting
Surgery to fix problems that may be contributing to the claw hand, such as nerve problems, tendon abnormalities, or scar tissue
Therapy to straighten the fingers

Review Date:7/17/2008
Reviewed By:Andrew L. Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedist, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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