Congenital Differences- Timing of Intervention in the era of COVID-19

March 28, 2020 We are in an unprecedented time.  COVID-19, the coronavirus which began in Wuhan Province in China in late 2019, has impacted our world in many ways.  Medical centers in the US and Europe are in a time of crisis as they prepare for or are in the midst of the pandemic.  In […]

Radial Deficiency Outcome

Radial deficiency (or radial longitudinal deficiency, RLD) is one of the most challenging conditions that I treat.  We classify patients with RLD based on their bone development but that does not capture the underlying muscle and joint abnormalities.  Reports on treatment including surgery have been mixed and that has led hospitals and doctors to have […]

Syndactyly: The Type Matters.

Syndactyly, simply put, means joined fingers.  However, there are a number of different types including:– cutaneous (or simple)- only a skin connection– Complex-  with a bony connection– Complicated- with an associated syndrome– Partial vs complete (whether part way or completely to tip of finger).– Complex polysyndactyly.  That is, extra bones and bony connections. The partial […]

Two different thumb birth differences

The thumb is our most important digit.  In the adult, we estimate that it affects about 40% of hand function.  So, a thumb that is not fully or normally developed may really affect our abilities- whether that be strength, motion, dexterity, etc.  I have written a number of posts (See HERE) about the thumb but […]