Polydactyly is a birth defect or inherited trait in which the hand develops an extra finger in utero.

Most often the extra digit is a small offshoot of the pinky or thumb rather than a complete, additional finger originating from the palm.

The condition should be attended to early in life so that the child has the most time to adapt to the changes and achieve milestones in as timely a fashion as possible.

Constriction Band Syndrome is the result of an in-utero accident in which the amniotic sac ruptures and the thread-like fibers of the amniotic fluid become entangled with the fetus’s appendages.

In minor instances, this can result in hands or fingers that have a permanent but superficial constriction mark; in more serious cases, appendages can be shriveled, undersized or fused together in a “webbed” structure.

Neonatal surgical intervention is indicated in some cases and can entail anything from scar reduction to the separation of fused fingers.

Camptodactyly is a term that describes a condition in which fingers cannot be fully straightened or extended.

Oddly shaped bones, abnormal muscles, foreshortened tendons and tight skin can all contribute to Camptodactyly, which is normally treated by splinting and physical therapy in mild cases and surgery in severe instances.

Club Hand is a deformity in which the axis of the wrist is either deviated toward the thumb or pinky.

Although the condition is most visible in the hand, the originating malformation actually occurs in one of the arm’s long bones.

Treatment of either type in childhood depends on the condition’s severity and can include anything from splinting and stretching to surgery.

Syndactyly is a birth defect in which fingers are either conjoined by soft tissue or fused bones.

Although simple webbing normally doesn’t impact hand functionality, more complex cases may demand surgical separation of the finger to reduce impairment and improve dexterity.