investigations

Last reviewed 01/2018

Investigations in camptodactyly should include a plain X-ray of the involved digit. The lateral film gives the most valuable information. There are characteristic features:

• wedge-shaped head of proximal phalanx
• pronounced subcondylar recess on volar side of proximal phalanx caused by indentation from flexed middle phalanx
• base of middle phalanx appears flat
• loss of joint space
• palmar subluxation of middle phalanx
• ulnar inclination of PIPJ on antero-posterior view

There may be compensatory hyperextension changes at the metacarpophalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints.