Syndactyly refers to joined or “webbed” digits – in the hand, most often this refers to adjacent fingers which are grown together. Syndactyly is one of the most common variations on the basic growth pattern of the hand.
Syndactyly occurs in the womb as a detour on the road to developing one thumb and four separate fingers on the hand. In the womb, the new hand starts out in the shape of a paddle, then splits into separate fingers. Sometimes the fingers don’t split apart enough, and webbed fingers result: syndactyly. Sometimes a extra split forms and extra fingers result: polydactyly. Syndactyly and polydactyly are about equally common disorders. Combinations of both can occur as well – webbed extra fingers. Why does a child have this? It is not due to anything the mother did during pregnancy – it just happens. Sometimes these problems are in the genes and can be passed down generation to generation, but many times there is simply no known explanation.
A hand therapist can help with some problems before and after surgery, tailored to the individual problem and the temperament of the child. After surgery to separate fingers, a therapist can provide a special silicone rubber spacer, worn between the fingers while sleeping to help maintain the new web space during the healing process.
Kindly contact Physioline for the detailed assessment and treatment program which is individualised according to every patient.