If a thumb is not straight after radial polydactyly reconstruction, the patient may have trouble with pinch activities and may not like the way the thumb looks. The options to treat the thumb are limited and include:
- Addressing any soft tissue problems (i.e., scar bands)
- Cutting and re- aligning crooked bones
- Making joints stiff (fusion).
This is one example of a child with a crooked thumb years after her initial surgery for an extra thumb. She has trouble using the thumb in school and does not like the way it looks (it is very noticeable to her friends). The deformity is from 1) a scar band and 2) bony instability at the joint. Both issues need to be corrected in order to provide a satisfactory outcome. An excellent result would be expected with surgery.
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Deformity after radial polydactyly reconstruction |
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Another view of deformity of the thumb after radial polydactyly reconstruction. |
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Notable scar band which is contributing to the abnormal position of the thumb after radial polydactyly reconstruction. |
Charles A. Goldfarb, MD
My Bio at Washington University
congenitalhand@wudosis.wustl.edu
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