When her child was about to turn one, the mother wanted to give her little one a special gift-she hoped her child could have a hand with five fingers just like other kids.
The child's right hand was chubby and fair, but the thumb had an extra digit intertwined with the original one. Because it resembled the pincers of a crab, this type of polydactyly is often referred to as "crab claw thumb."
Outpatient
A Belated Gift
The parents noticed the child's finger abnormality right after birth. They initially wanted to schedule surgery as soon as possible. However, the child was too young, and the grandparents worried the baby couldn't handle anesthesia. They decided to wait until the child turned one. Several hospitals later, the doctors also recommended postponing the surgery until after the child's first birthday.
Time passed quickly, and the mother grew increasingly anxious. She noticed that the thumb was tilting more and more compared to when the child was born. This made her feel uneasy and deeply regretful.
Outpatient
In such cases, the sooner surgery is performed, the better. Crab claw thumb has a complex structure, and leaving the deformity uncorrected for too long can alter the child's hand-usage habits. Therefore, if conditions allow, surgery should be done as early as possible.
At the outpatient, the mother expressed her guilt, saying, "It's all my fault. I came too late."
I reassured her: "It's not your fault. No matter when you come, as long as we work together, we can solve this."
"We Never Took Her Out"
To protect their daughter, the parents rarely took her to crowded places. They feared people noticing her right hand. Some curious children might directly ask about it, unintentionally making hurtful comments. For the parents, such remarks could feel like a stab to the heart.
Many parents share this mindset and avoid taking their child out or letting them use their hands much. However, this approach can be counterproductive.
Outpatient
If the affected hand isn't used often, it can slow the development of hand functionality. Additionally, without sufficient stimulation and exercise, the hand's growth and development may also be hindered.
Therefore, we encourage children to use their hands as much as possible, both before and after surgery.
"We're So Satisfied!"
A gift may arrive late, but happiness will always find its way. The child's crab claw thumb surgery was a success.
During the post-surgery follow-up, the mother shared her joy with me:
"We're so satisfied! This isn't flattery-it's the truth!"
She added that her child now loves twisting bottle caps and has strong hands. The family is no longer afraid of others' opinions and proudly shows off the child's hand recovery to others.
This outcome wouldn't have been possible without the parents' dedicated care, especially the mother's effort. Now, they only need to continue strengthening hand exercises. The surgery was recent, so there's plenty of time for further recovery and development.
Follow-Up
I hope that the next time we meet, the child will be able to hold a pen and write their own name!