Claw hand

Claw hand is a condition characterized by a curved or bent hand that resembles the claw of an animal. This condition can be caused by various medical conditions, including nerve damage, muscle disorders, and injuries to the hand.

Causes

The primary cause of claw hand is damage to the ulnar nerve or the median nerve, which control the muscles in the hand and arm. This can occur as a result of an injury, a medical condition such as diabetes, or a nerve compression syndrome such as carpal tunnel syndrome or cubital tunnel syndrome.

Other causes of claw hand can include muscular dystrophy, a group of genetic diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a group of inherited disorders that affect the nerves outside the brain and spine.

Symptoms

The main symptom of claw hand is a hand that is curved or bent in a way that resembles a claw. Other symptoms can include:

• Difficulty moving the fingers
• Weakness in the hand and fingers
• Numbness or tingling in the hand or fingers
• Pain in the hand or arm

Treatment

Treatment for claw hand depends on the underlying cause. If the condition is caused by nerve damage, treatment may involve surgery to repair the damaged nerve. Physical therapy may also be recommended to help improve strength and flexibility in the hand.

If the condition is caused by a muscle disorder, treatment may involve medication to manage symptoms, physical therapy to improve muscle strength and flexibility, and in some cases, surgery to correct the deformity.

See also

• Hand deformities
• Nerve damage
• Muscle disorders