Connections » Ask Dr. Harley

Advice regarding timing of hand surgery for congenital condition

(5 posts)
  • Started 9 months ago by Meanders
  • Latest reply from harleyb

Total votes:

  1. Meanders
    Member

    Hello,

    My son was born six weeks ago with a congenital hand condition. He doesn't have a specific condition, but he basically has two bones in his right hand and three fingers that are all fused together. His right palm and its fused fingers are all smaller than his left hand.

    We have been to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon who recommended splitting the finger that is most "thumb-like" from the other two digits, which seem to be very fused together, to make the hand functional - by no earlier than a year.

    We have also been to a plastic surgeon who recommended the same type of procedures by no later than six months.

    What is better in terms of timing? Neither of these surgeons specialize in hands, although both have worked on them... We plan to see hand specialists soon but are interested to see what timing other parents have worked with.

    Also, are there any good pediatric hand surgeons who people recommend in the east coast? We live in Virginia but are open to travel to DC, Baltimore and possibly even Philly or Boston.

    Thanks in advance.

    Posted 9 months ago #
  2. KarenO
    Member

    I can't help you with your timing question, but I do have a recommendation for hand surgeons. My daughter, born with symbrachydactyly, had surgery by Dr. Keith Segalman at the Curtis National Hand Center at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore. We saw several surgeons at Children's in DC, Georgetown University Hospital, and Johns Hopkins. They do (or used to do) a monthly congeintal hand clinic for children which included several of their hand surgeons, we did this and then did a follow-up with Dr. Segalman. We have been extremely with the care she received, and she continues to see him once a year to see how her hand is growing, etc. I highly recommend a consultation with them.

    Karen, also in VA

    Posted 9 months ago #
  3. harleyb
    Moderator

    Timing of this surgery will be very "surgeon dependent". The sooner the fingers are seperated the sooner your child could start to use them. However, the later the surgery is done - the bigger the fingers are - and we can often do a more precise job of the surgery. Generally - between 6 and 12 months is when this type of surgery is done - and there is no "right" or "wrong" time.

    Hope this helps.

    Posted 9 months ago #
  4. Meanders
    Member

    One other question... What is the difference between having the surgery done by an orthopedic surgeon and by a plastic surgeon? Does anyone have any thoughts? Thanks so much!

    Posted 8 months ago #
  5. harleyb
    Moderator

    I would suggest there is little difference if the surgeon is good.

    Posted 7 months ago #

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