Hand Syndromes: Clinodactyly

Clinodactyly is a congenital condition characterized by the curvature of a finger, often the pinky, towards the adjacent fingers. This common but often mild deformity can affect hand function and may be associated with other genetic conditions.

What is Clinodactyly?

Clinodactyly refers to the side-to-side curvature of a finger or toe. In most individuals, the degree of curvature is minimal and usually involves the small fingers. There is a hereditary element of finger curvature, especially when it involves the same finger on both hands. The basis for clinodactyly is that the middle bone in the finger is underdeveloped and, instead of being rectangular, it is trapezoidal.

Clinodactyly: Causes, Associations, and Treatment Options

The growth plates are not parallel, causing one side to grow more than the other side.

Clinodactyly can also be related to a larger deformity such as macrodactyly, polydactyly, syndactyly, or after surgical correction of finger deformities.

In most cases, clinodactyly is harmless and does not need to be corrected. In a small number of patients, the curvature may be severe enough or worsen over time to interfere with adjacent digits. This is most noticeable when someone tries to flex his or her fingers into a fist. In these patients, surgery involves realigning the growth plates with an opening or closing wedge osteotomy.

Clinodactyly may occur as an isolated finding in a person who is entirely normal or it may be found in association with other congenital malformations and, sometimes, with developmental delay. It is a common component of Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and Klinefelter syndrome (XXY).

Why Choose Dr. Panossian?

He received his medical education at Tufts University School of Medicine.
Graduated at the top of his class at UCLA, receiving Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude honors.
Was accepted into an elite combined general surgery and plastic surgery residency at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Completed subspecialty training in craniofacial surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and Harvard Medical School.
Was mentored by Dr. Ron Zuker in the practice of facial paralysis reconstruction. This prestigious fellowship position was available to only one surgeon in the United States.
Is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the highly selective American Association of Plastic Surgeons, reserved for only a select group of individuals nationally who have demonstrated excellence in academic plastic surgery.
Is affiliated with various charitable and educational organizations, including Operation Smile and Mending Kids.
Holds memberships in several other professional societies including the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery.
He serves on the Board of Directors for Mending Kids and the Gondobay Manga Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of lives in Sierra Leone.
Has been nominated by his peers annually since 2012 as a “Super Doctor.”
Served as an expert medical consultant and appeared on The Doctors, Grey’s Anatomy, and Nip/Tuck.
Has been featured as “Top Doctor” in US News and World Report, Pasadena Magazine, and Los Angeles Magazine.

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"Dr. Andre Panossian is a superlative plastic surgeon and a very helpful and pleasant individual. He handled a complex surgical problem and achieved a result that exceeded expectations. I would recommend him to anyone."

- J.M.