Claw hand is a condition where the fingers are noticeably curved or bent, resembling a bear's claw. It can affect one or more fingers on one or both hands. Claw hand can be present at birth (congenital) or caused by nerve damage, skin scarring from burns, or bacterial diseases like leprosy. The main cause is nerve injury or damage, which can result from birth defects, trauma, repetitive motions, or compression of the ulnar nerve in the wrist. There are two main types: partial/ulnar claw hand where the fourth and fifth fingers are affected, and complete claw hand where all fingers are curved. Treatment options include physical therapy, surgery to repair nerves or tendons, medication

1. CLAW HAND
Presentation by:
Preksha, Nevil and
Shubham

2. WHAT IS CLAW HAND ?
Claw Hand is a condition in which your fingers are noticeably curved or
bent. This condition can affect one or more of your fingers, on one or both
hands.
The condition gets its name from the curvature of fingers, which makes the
hand resemble a bear’s claw.

3. Claw hand can be a congenital defect (a defect
present at birth) or it may be due to certain disorders
or injuries.
Depending on the severity of the condition, you may
have difficulty using your hands to pick up and grasp
items.

4. WHAT CAUSES CLAW HAND ???
•Congenital birth defect
•Nerve damage
•Skin scarring (after burns)
•Bacterial disease (most commonly LEPROSY in South-east Asia)

5. So Basically in most of
the causes listed on
previous slide indicates
that the root cause is
NERVE
INJURY/DAMAGE.

6. TYPES OF CLAW HAND
Partial or Ulnar Claw Hand Complete Claw Hand

7. PARTIAL OR ULNAR CLAW HAND
A hand in ulnar claw hand position will have the 4th and 5th fingers hyperextended at
the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and flexed at the interphalangeal (PIP) joints.
How to check for ulnar claw hand ?
Patient will able to make full fist but when they extend their finger they won’t be able
to do it.

10. REASONS FOR ULNAR NERVE INJURY ARE:
•Entrapment of ulnar nerve
•Bone fracture or dislocation
•Swelling of soft tissue
•Wrist Injury
•Paralysis of ulnar nerve due to any kind of trauma
•Even some daily activities like: cycling, desk job (elbow leaning), screw tightening
action, etc.

11. PATHOGENESIS
An ulnar claw may follow an ulnar nerve lesion which result in the partial or
complete denervation of the 2 medial LUMBRICALS of the hand.
Their denervation causes these joints to become extended by now unopposed
action of the EXTENSOR DIGITORUM
LUMBRICALS and ITEROSSEI also extend the IP joint of the fingers, their paralysis
result in weakened extension
The combination of hyper extension at the MCP and flexion at the IP joints gives
the hand it’s claw like appearance.

15. COMPLETE CLAW HAND
A hand in Complete claw
hand position will have
the all 4fingers and
thumb hyperextended at
the metacarpophalangeal
(MCP) joints and flexed
at the interphalangeal
(PIP) joints.

17. PREVENTION
•Physical exercise
•Stretching
•Massaging the muscles
•Take a break

18. TREATMENT
Physical Therapy
Hand and finger exercises like squeezing the ball
Surgery
To repair damaged nerve, ligament or muscle
Skin graft in case of scar tissue
Medication
Antibiotics in case of leprosy

19. SURGICAL TREATMENT
Nerve repair or
decompression where
possible is the
treatment of choice if
the nerves are not
repairable or repair
have failed tendon
transfer can be
considered as best
correct the claw
deformity.

20. OR YOU MAY JUST REQUIRE TO
GIVE REST TO YOUR HAND AND
LET BODY UNDO ITSELF …

21. THANK YOU