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 hand as-is, or have surgery in some form of fashion.

Please know, there is no “right/wrong” answer to this.

There are two aspects of the decision:  what and when?

The what.

Surgery: yay or nay.

If yay, what specifically should be done.

I’ll start with the disclaimer that I am not a physician in any form or fashion, and I don’t play one on TV either.  You best bet is to arm yourself with as much information as you can find and then meet with a (or numerous) respected micro-hand surgeon(s) to discuss their professional opinion.

Surgery, yay or nay?

In many cases the affected hand is a mirror image of the other hand, simply smaller.  If that is your situation, surgery would not benefit much.  The hand has near-full functionality, why mess with it?

In cases like mine and others, the hand is rather severely malformed, and to create any sort of functionality, some sort of surgery is needed.  This (to the left) is my hand today, post surgery.  I had the surgery when I was less than a year old.  Upon birth, I had three stumped digits in the center that showed no evidence of going to grow into normal fingers and my pinky finger was more straight.  The doctor removed the center three stubs and adjusted the pinky so that I would have a pincer grasp.  I have a reasonable amount functionality and am glad the surgery was done.

So as you think about whether surgery is what you want to do, ask, “What kind of functionality will his/her hand have as-is?” and, “Can anything be done to improve that functionality?”

Even if surgery can help increase functionality, it does not necessarily mean that is the right choice.  With the answer to those two above questions now discuss whether the surgery and its risks are worth the benefit.  Seek to put yourself in the shoes of your child, as an adult, with the abilities to think as an adult, would you be glad for having had surgery or would you wish your hand was left as it was?

Seek out people whose hand is similar.  With a number of groups on FB, you should be able to locate such folks.  Ask for feedback there.

What kind of surgery?

The technology available to surgeons today is far greater than it was 34 years ago when I had my surgery.  So as you get an idea of what you think would be a helpful adjustment, remember that a reputable surgeon will be able to communicate with you what they can and cannot accomplish.

And remember, there is no ticking-clock requiring you to take action this very minute.  Take the time to gather information and make a fully informed, unhurried decision for your child.

NEXT TIME…when to have the surgery.

(to see the previous posts: HERE and HERE)