Toe Polysyndactyly

The treatment of extra toes and toe syndactyly often involves the hand surgeon given the overlap in treatment strategies between hand and foot. As I have previously blogged, I typically avoid reconstructing toe syndactyly unless it involves the first web space (ie, the great toe). While there are exceptions to this approach, the risks of […]

Hand Society (ASSH) 2023 Travels

The ASSH Annual Meeting was in Toronto this year.  As usual, it was a fabulous meeting and its always great to connect with friends from across North America and the world.  There were very good pediatric sessions throughout the week! We had a fantastic Pediatric Hand Study Group (PHSG) meeting.  The group continues to grow with a goal […]

Bone Lengthening in Olliers Disease

I have been curious about ChatGPT and so I wanted to share an encounter with artificial intelligence. Honestly, I am impressed. The complete response: “Ah, I see. Multiple enchondromatosis, also known as Ollier’s disease, is a rare, non-hereditary skeletal disorder characterized by the presence of multiple benign tumors called enchondromas. Enchondromas are growths of cartilage […]

Mirror Hand, The Elbow & Ulnar Dimelia

Mirror hand, or ulnar dimelia as it is technically known, is one of the most striking birth differences of the upper extremity (there is also a lower extremity similar condition). There is a duplication of the ulnar half of the forearm and hand. This can present in the hand only (with a normal forearm) or […]

Cleft Hand vs Symbrachydactyly, Cleft Type

Both cleft hand and symbrachydactyly may present in different ways, which can make it difficult sometimes to understand the difference. Symbrachydactyly presents in 4 types for the hand: cleft type (the point of this post), monodactyly type (only a thumb), short finger type, and peromelic (just nubbins). I have previously posted about symbrachydactyly here, here, […]

Travels: World Pediatric Project, Barbados

WPP The WPP is a wonderful organization that I have worked with for more than 15 years. Based on Richmond, Virginia and Saint Louis, Missouri, it is focused on the global health of kids in many areas including orthopedic surgery. When I first became affiliated, kids with major orthopedic issues came to St Louis for […]

Understanding the Specifics of Upper Extremity Birth Differences, Part 2

It has been far too long since my post on the “Why” of Birth Differences.  I apologize and I know at least some of you have been awaiting this post.  No excuses but I am now on a new platform and the transition took time. This is Part 2 in which I will review some of the […]