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Author: Melissa

When to Have Hand Surgery? ?>

When to Have Hand Surgery?

Pick up on the previous posts in this series 1, 2, 3, You have concluded that going through with hand surgery is the best course of action, but now you need to decide WHEN to do it. I don’t think any parent gets too excited about the prospect of their child being put under anesthesia, ever.  But even more so as an infant.  I met a mother last year who was contemplating hand surgery for her newborn due to another…

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When to Have Hand Surgery? ?>

When to Have Hand Surgery?

Pick up on the previous posts in this series 1, 2, 3, You have concluded that going through with hand surgery is the best course of action, but now you need to decide WHEN to do it. I don’t think any parent gets too excited about the prospect of their child being put under anesthesia, ever.  But even more so as an infant.  I met a mother last year who was contemplating hand surgery for her newborn due to another…

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Upon Diagnosis…the hand ?>

Upon Diagnosis…the hand

So now you have your diagnosis and know why your child’s hand is malformed.  What’s the next step? I suspect some who do not even have a diagnosis may choose surgery on the hand to enable better functionality.  But some may not proceed at all without knowing what caused it. Let’s start first with the infant.  Whether you received your diagnosis right away or a few months later, you are left with the same question.  Should you leave your child’s…

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Upon Diagnosis…the hand ?>

Upon Diagnosis…the hand

So now you have your diagnosis and know why your child’s hand is malformed.  What’s the next step? I suspect some who do not even have a diagnosis may choose surgery on the hand to enable better functionality.  But some may not proceed at all without knowing what caused it. Let’s start first with the infant.  Whether you received your diagnosis right away or a few months later, you are left with the same question.  Should you leave your child’s…

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Upon Diagnosis…Now What? ?>

Upon Diagnosis…Now What?

Your child is born with a malformed hand, doctors are completely puzzled.  “We have no idea,” they tell you, “we don’t know what caused this.” At some point, either through your own research or after crossing paths with someone familiar with the condition, you hear for the first time the words Poland Syndrome. You now know.  Now you have a diagnosis.  Something you can look up and look into.  But you are left with the question of, “Now what?”

Upon Diagnosis…Now What? ?>

Upon Diagnosis…Now What?

Your child is born with a malformed hand, doctors are completely puzzled.  “We have no idea,” they tell you, “we don’t know what caused this.” At some point, either through your own research or after crossing paths with someone familiar with the condition, you hear for the first time the words Poland Syndrome. You now know.  Now you have a diagnosis.  Something you can look up and look into.  But you are left with the question of, “Now what?”

What to do upon diagnosis? ?>

What to do upon diagnosis?

I’ve seen a number of questions on various FaceBook groups lately (which are wonderful, by the way.  If you haven’t found a FB group for PS let me know and I can direct you to some), asking things like, “My 2 year old (or my 6-month old) was just diagnosed with Poland Syndrome.  The doctors have never seen this before and aren’t sure how to proceed.  What should we do?” I imagine, 34 years ago when my parents received my…

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What to do upon diagnosis? ?>

What to do upon diagnosis?

I’ve seen a number of questions on various FaceBook groups lately (which are wonderful, by the way.  If you haven’t found a FB group for PS let me know and I can direct you to some), asking things like, “My 2 year old (or my 6-month old) was just diagnosed with Poland Syndrome.  The doctors have never seen this before and aren’t sure how to proceed.  What should we do?” I imagine, 34 years ago when my parents received my…

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Picture Perfect ?>

Picture Perfect

Before that interview I never realized just how often I covered my hand.  Much of the time it is simply more comfortable.  My right arm is shorter than my left and as is my right hand.  So a normal sitting position of hands resting on one’s lap doesn’t work for me.  My right arm feels awkward, and even slightly painful.  It is physically uncomfortable and my arm/hand does not rest the same way my left side does. So the easy solution…

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Picture Perfect ?>

Picture Perfect

Before that interview I never realized just how often I covered my hand.  Much of the time it is simply more comfortable.  My right arm is shorter than my left and as is my right hand.  So a normal sitting position of hands resting on one’s lap doesn’t work for me.  My right arm feels awkward, and even slightly painful.  It is physically uncomfortable and my arm/hand does not rest the same way my left side does. So the easy solution…

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