cleft hand
Last reviewed 01/2018
Cleft hand is an uncommon congenital failure of formation of formation of the middle part of the hand and forearm. There is a spectrum of abnormalities ranging from the absence of the middle ray (phalanges and metacarpal), through loss of index, middle and ring finger rays, to a single remaining digit, usually the little finger. It can occur unilaterally or bilaterally and is sometimes associated with abnormalities in the feet. It is described as a longitudinal failure of formation in the IFSSH-Swanson classification scheme of congential hand anomalies.
Despite the cosmetic deformity, functionally there may be little disability.