Claw Hand

Claw Hand

Claw hand, or main en griffe, is an abnormal posture of the hand with hyperextension at the metacarpophalangeal joints (5th, 4th, and, to a lesser extent, 3rd finger) and flexion at the interphalangeal joints. This results from ulnar nerve lesions above the elbow, or injury to the lower part of the brachial plexus (Dejerine-Klumpke type), producing wasting and weakness of hypothenar muscles, interossei, and ulnar (medial) lumbricals, allowing the long finger extensors and flexors to act unopposed.

Cross References

Benediction hand; Camptodactyly