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Claw hand - Treatment

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
  • Reviewed last on: 7/17/2008
  • 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.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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