Kayla Davis B2 Mrs.

Wilzbacher Research Paper June 6, 2013 Unique Pinky It is associated with at least 60 syndromes of which Downs syndrome is the most common: 35% to 79% of people with Downs syndrome have clinodactyly. (Flatt 341) Clinodactyly, also, known as Camptodactyly, a curvature of the fifth finger, is prevalent in Down syndrome suffers; however, there are a few patients that have clinodactyly and do not have Down syndrome. Clinodactyly is undetected at birth, but shows no major health risk; additionally, one can describe this deformity as unique. The term camptodactyly was coined by Landouzy(1906) to describe a form of contractures of the fingers.(Goodmanetal 203) The finger usually cannot bend straightly and bends to a certain extinct. One can say that this is unique because muscle is frozen or cannot straighten normally as other individuals hand muscles. Clinically, a bending or curvature of the finger in the lane of the palm us describes as clinodactyly, a word derived from the Greek kliner to bend, and dactylos, a finger. ( Flatt 341) When an individual tries to straighten or flex the finger, it stays in one position and the muscle in the finger stays in one place. The traditional approach to clinodactyly has been either to accept the deformity or to perform an osteotomy. ( Vickers 335) One can choose the option of living with the deformity or having hand surgery to shorten the bone and change the alignment of it. A correction was also better in children who had surgery before 6 years of age compared with older children.

(Laberge el. al 659) Given this information, one can understand that children who has a deformed finger, pinky, fixed will have a successful surgery since one's body is still developing. Older children chances of the finger developing normally won't be as likely as younger children who will have hand surgery. We found that flexion of the wrist often decreases the contracture in camptodactyly and in other flexion deformities of the fingers which develop painlessly in childhood and are not associated with trauma. ( Smith et. al 1201) One can notice that when bending the wrist, the deformed finger isnt noticeable. Flexing or not flexing the wrist does not cause pain in the finger; additionally, camptodactyly is a harmless deformity that can cause the finger to look normal when moving the hand around. Camptodactyly almost always affects the fifth finger, the characteristic lesion being a flexion contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint. (Gordan et al 266) The flexibility of the fifth finger is the main focus that should be considered when the pinky is not able to fully bend or straighten like other fingers. Many doctors do not pay attention to this condition. The condition is frequently overlooked and its pathology poorly understood. (Weslch et. al 112) When children are born, doctors usually don't pay attention to this condition. When doctors do notice the condition, it may be hard to diagnose the condition of a child at a young age. Although the flexion deformity of camptodactyly frequently is considered a congenital abnormality, it is often not observed at birth. (Smith et. al 1188) One can infer that camptodactyly is not a serious condition because of doctors not observing the deformed finger at birth. This means that the finger may be awkward to others, but not a minor situation to doctors. The curvature finger is different from a normal finger. Clinodactyly with a middle phalanx of the usual length occurred with almost equal frequently in both mongoloid and normal

children.(Roche 387) Deformed pinky was showed to occur in both normal children and Down syndrome children. However, clinodactyly occurs more often in Down syndrome children than normal children. While its frequently seen without associated abnormality, it has been noted in conjunction with either pathological condition often enough that its presence should alert the physician to other possibility. (Poznanski et. al) Given from the information, doctors haven't had a high case of the condition and that as high cases of clinodactyly come up, doctors should start to notice a trend and find a diagnose for clinodactyly. The excessive growth is of prenatal onset and has continued at two to 3 times the normal rate with dysharmonic acceleration of skeletal maturation. (Weauer et. al 547) The high growth of clinodactyly is because of prenatal onset and the quick development of an infants skeletal maturation. The renewed growth is manifest not only by an increase in length, but also by decrease in the angular deformity and improvement of the articular surfaces. (Vickers 335) Growth had to do with this condition because it is interrupted and is not fully grown which cause the fifth finger to grow awkwardly and in a curved shape, not straight. Clinodactyly condition can be passed down from ones family. Clinodactyly certainly runs in the families and probably depends on an autosomal dominant gene. (Flatt 341) One can notice that a family doesn't have the same condition as them; however, maybe another family member one doesn't know of has clinodactyly. The principal features of the CACP syndrome or earlyonset camptodactyly and childhood no inflammatory.( Bahabri et. al 730) The syndrome is most noticeable within children. When camptodactyly is noticed in a child, it would be wise to get the condition checked. I, myself have clinodactyly. My condition is located in my right pinky. Having clinodactyly is common in the fifth finger. As provided in earlier paragraph, 79% of people who has

clinodactyly have Down syndrome; however, I am one of the 35% who does not have Down syndrome. My finger helps me stand out from others because I am the only out of my family and friends to have this unique condition. Many of my friends are surprised and creped out when they see my pinky. It is a unique part of me because most individuals with this condition have Down syndrome and I am grateful not to have any of the 60 syndromes. I have never thought of getting my finger fixed. I have accepted this condition. Some individuals might criticize my finger and how it looks awkward and weird; however, I have learned to deal with it and accept the fact I have a different condition that none of the people I know have. I am special and unique in my own way because of my deformity pinky. Clinodactyly, also known as camptodactyly, is a deformity/condition in a ligament in the fingers not being able to bend or straighten. The character tics inability to extend one or both little fingers in the region of the proximal phalangeal joint. (Stoddard 511) This condition is occurs more among Down syndrome individuals; however, normal individuals has this condition as well. Hiding the fact that ones pinky is not normal, shouldnt be something to be discouraged about; additionally, celebrate the fact one has a unique and different part of them then everyone else. Show your uniqueness for everyone to see and be proud of it.

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Pediatrics 84.4(1974): 547-552. Web. Welch, J, and Samia Temtamy. Hereditary Contractures of the Fingers( Camptodactyly) . Journal of Medical Genetics 3.2 (1966): 104-113. Web.