Claw Hand
The hand will show hyper-extension of the metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP) and flexion at the distal and proximal Interphalangeal (IP) joints of the 4th and 5th digits (ring and little finger).[5] The clawing will become most obvious when the person is asked to straighten their fingers.
Patients exhibiting an ulnar claw are also very frequently unable to spread (abduct) or pull together(adduct) the fingers against resistance. This occurs because the ulnar nerve also innervates the palmar and dorsal interossei of the hand. Patients with this deficit will become increasingly easy to identify over time as the paralyzed first dorsal interosseous muscle atrophies, leaving a prominent hollowing between the thumb and forefinger.
The hand will show hyper-extension of the metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP) and flexion at the distal and proximal Interphalangeal (IP) joints of the 4th and 5th digits (ring and little finger).[5] The clawing will become most obvious when the person is asked to straighten their fingers.
Patients exhibiting an ulnar claw are also very frequently unable to spread (abduct) or pull together(adduct) the fingers against resistance. This occurs because the ulnar nerve also innervates the palmar and dorsal interossei of the hand. Patients with this deficit will become increasingly easy to identify over time as the paralyzed first dorsal interosseous muscle atrophies, leaving a prominent hollowing between the thumb and forefinger.
