Ulnar claw
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An ulnar claw, also known as claw hand, is an abnormal hand position that develops due to a problem with the ulnar nerve. A hand in ulnar claw position will have the 4th and 5th fingers drawn towards the back of the hand at the first knuckle and curled towards the palm at the second and third knuckles.
Some sources, incorrectly, refer to the ulnar claw as a "hand of benediction"[1] or "pope's blessing".[2] However, the term "hand of benediction" or "pope's blessing" more commonly refers to a similar hand position which is caused by damage to the median nerve[3][4] and is only present when the patient is asked to make a fist.[2]
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Presentation [edit]
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.
Pathogenesis [edit]
An ulnar claw may follow an ulnar nerve lesion[6] which results in the partial or complete denervation of the ulnar (medial) two lumbricals of the hand. Since the ulnar nerve also supplies the interossei, which flex the MCP joints (aka the knuckles), their denervation causes these joints to become extended by the now unopposed action of the long finger extensors (namely the extensor digitorum and the extensor digiti minimi). The lumbricals and interossei also extend the IP (interphalangeal) joints of the fingers by insertion into the extensor hood; their paralysis results in weakened extension. The combination of hyperextension at the MCP and flexion at the IP joints gives the hand its claw like appearance.[7]
Ulnar paradox [edit]
The ulnar nerve also innervates the ulnar (medial) half of the flexor digitorum profundus muscle (FDP). If the ulnar nerve lesion occurs more proximally (closer to the elbow), the flexor digitorum profundus muscle may also be denervated. As a result, flexion of the IP joints is weakened, which reduces the claw-like appearance of the hand.[8] (Instead, the fourth and fifth fingers are simply paralyzed in their fully extended position.) This is called the "ulnar paradox" because one would normally expect a more proximal and thus debilitating injury to result in a more deformed appearance.
The other way to look at it: as reinnervation occurs along the ulnar nerve after a high lesion the deformity will get worse (FDP reinnervated) as the patient recovers - now that truly is a paradox! A simple way to remember this is: 'the closer the Paw, the worse the Claw'.
Ulnar Nerve Symptoms [edit]
The Ulnar nerve runs from the shoulder to the hand, and damage to it is called the Ulnar claw. It is linked to palsy, which is a result of the peripheral neuropathy. There is a range of ways that damage to the nerve can be done. Leaning on the elbow can lead to long-term wear and tear due to the prolonged pressure of the upper body. Symptoms to leaning on the nerve can lead to numbness and tingly fingers.
Daily Activities lead to Ulnar Claw [edit]
Every day activities such as cyclist, motorcyclist, and desk jobs prolong movement and elbow leaning and even pizza cutting can result in the ulnar claw. Cyclist apply pressure to their palms, which cause prolonged damaged to the nerve.[9] When using a pizza cutter, as you apply your upper body weight to push down on the utensil over time can cause damage to your nerve.[10]
Risk in Gender and BMI [edit]
95% of Women with a BMI less than a 22.0 have a higher risk of damaging their nerve due to the lack of “cushion” but those who have a higher increased BMI also have greater pressure on their elbow when leaning on it.[11] When using gym equipment men have a higher risk, more muscle increases strength. Greater pressure over the nerve increases with hand usage.
Treatment [edit]
Treatments excluding surgery can also be done through occupational therapy and physical therapy rehabilitation. Range of motion can be regain by using hand splits to stretch the impaired hand and to prevent overstretching. Using splits will initiate flexion in the metacarophalangeal joints while also allowing extensions and flexion in the interphalangeal joints thus increasing range of motion.
Another exercise is to regain strength in the interossesuous muscles and lumbricals. By exercising individual fingers and thumb in adduction and abduction motion in pronation position, interosssesuous muscles will strengthen. As to increase lumbricals, strengthening flexion in the metacarpohalangeal joint and extension in the interphalangeal joints can be practiced. Repetitive motion of pronation and supination are also effect exercises used during rehabilitation. Exercising pronation and supination with a handle or screwdriver attachment will help stimulate the nerves. A lateral pinch and recurring grip can also be applied for supination and pronation.
Prevention [edit]
Is used to preserve the function of the fingers. It includes physical exercise, stretching, proper bodily function and myofascial release (massage, foam roller). Exercises are focused on the forearm muscles, such as the extensor carpi ulnaris; extensor digitorum to antagonize the flexion of the fingers.
Massaging the forearm muscles also alleviates the tightness that occurs with muscles exertion. Stretching allows the muscles more flexibility, decreasing interference with the innervations of the ulnar nerve to the fingers.
Caused by median nerve lesions. The hand will show hyper-extension of the metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP) from the unopposed extensor digitorum as well as weakened extension and flexion of the Interphalangeal (IP) joints of the 2nd and 3rd digits (index and middle) due to deficits in the radial lumbricals and lateral half of the flexor digitorum profundus. The pathogenesis is similar to that of ulnar clawing (loss of the relevant lumbricals and the flexor digitorum profundus along with unopposed action of forearm extensors), and a median claw hand will appear similar to an ulnar claw when the patient with a median claw is asked to make a fist.
The following signs may be used to distinguish median nerve clawing from ulnar nerve clawing clinically.
| Ulnar nerve | Median nerve |
|---|---|
| Deficit is primarily in 4th and 5th fingers | Deficit is primarily in 2nd and 3rd fingers. |
| Deficit is most prominent at rest and when the patient is asked to extend his fingers. | Deficit is most prominent when the patient is asked to make a fist. |
| Often accompanied by inability to abduct or adduct the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th finger. | Often accompanied by difficulty opposing the thumb. |
| Often accompanied by apparent atrophy of the first dorsal interosseous muscle of the hand | Often accompanied by wasting of muscles of the thenar eminence |
Dupuytren's contracture [edit]
Dupuytren's contracture is a deformity of the hand due to thickening and fibrosis of the palmar aponeurosis and eventual contracture of the 4th and 5th digits. Presenting as a small hard nodule in the base of the ring finger, it tends to affect the ring and little finger as puckering and adherence of the palmar aponeurosis to the skin. Eventually the MCP and IP joints of the 4th and 5th digits become permanently flexed. This claw appearance can be distinguished from an ulnar claw in that the MCP is flexed in Dupuytren’s but hyperextended in ulnar nerve injuries.
Klumpke paralysis [edit]
A claw hand can result of injuries to the inferior brachial plexus (C8 - T1). The condition may arise from the limb being suddenly pulled upward. For example, Klumpke paralysis can occur from excessive pulling of the infant's forelimb during parturition.
References [edit]
- ^ http://www.tabers.com/tabersonline/ub/view/Tabers/143428/26/benediction_hand
- ^ a b Le, Tao. "First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 2012 Errata". Retrieved 12 June 2012.
- ^ http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/student/ssn/anatomy/brachial_plexus.pdf
- ^ http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/527751_8
- ^ Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics - Ulnar Nerve
- ^ Neiman R, Maiocco B, Deeney VF (1998). "Ulnar nerve injury after closed forearm fractures in children". J Pediatr Orthop 18 (5): 683–5. doi:10.1097/00004694-199809000-00026. PMID 9746426.
- ^ http://teachmeanatomy.info/the-ulnar-nerve/
- ^ http://www.orthoteers.org/content/documents/Exam_hand.pdf
- ^ Akuthota, V.; Plastaras, C.; Lindberg, K.; Tobey, J.; Press, J.; Garvan, C. (Aug 2005). "The effect of long-distance bicycling on ulnar and median nerves: an electrophysiologic evaluation of cyclist palsy.". Am J Sports Med 33 (8): 1224–30. doi:10.1177/0363546505275131. PMID 16000656.
- ^ Jones, HR. (Aug 1988). "Pizza cutter's palsy.". N Engl J Med 319 (7): 450. PMID 3398902.
- ^ Richardson, JK.; Green, DF.; Jamieson, SC.; Valentin, FC. (Apr 2001). "Gender, body mass and age as risk factors for ulnar mononeuropathy at the elbow.". Muscle Nerve 24 (4): 551–4. PMID 11268028.
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