What do crooked fingers mean

Clinodactyly is a common condition. While the exact number is not known, about 10 percent of children are affected by clinodactyly to some degree.

It tends to affect boys more often than girls. There are three bones in the finger. In many cases, children develop clinodactyly when the middle bone is shaped like a triangle. Therefore, as the hand grows, the finger becomes more curved. Clinodactyly can be passed on from parent to child. It may also be part of a related condition, such as Down syndrome. Your child will also have an x-ray. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Related Articles. Bone Spurs in Hands: Causes and Treatment. What Causes Swan Neck Deformity? Bouchard's Nodes Causes and Treatments. An Overview of Finger Arthritis. How Is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed? Common Osteoarthritis Symptoms. Early Arthritis Symptoms. What Is Mild Osteoarthritis? Arthritis Hands Photo Gallery.

If only the very tip of the finger is crooked, it will have a more significant implication to its meaning. Usually just found on the Jupiter or Mercury finger. It indicates that there has been an altered mindset through circumstances. There may have been mental confusion that affected decision making, thoughts, and intuitive faculties the way things are perceived.

A sharp kink on the tip of the little finger can show the early history of family problems. When all the fingers lean away from the thumb, their energy is in the direction of the inactive subconscious, indicating introversion.

It may denote a reluctance to lead or demonstrate authority. However, not all the fingers will tend to lean or bend the same way. If the fingers are held close together, it shows caution, reservation, suspicion or secretiveness. The ring finger in palmistry is called the Apollo finger.

Apollo represents creativity and expression. A curve on this finger is an indicator of extra shrewdness. It is gaining qualities and strength from the other finger. There is often a physical examination of the affected hand to see the degree to which the finger is curved and how it affects function. The doctor may recommend imaging tests like X-rays to better see the bones of the finger and hand. Range-of-motion tests may also be done to see just how the curvature affects functioning and how to best help your child.

If surgery is deemed necessary, a portion of the curved part of the bone is removed in order to straighten the finger. Tendons and soft tissue may be released or operated on in order to release tension on the finger and joint and ensure future stability. The finger is then held together with pins or screws to ensure the bones are straight. The finger is stabilized, making sure all bones and tissues are properly aligned and in place. The doctor will also look at the rest of the fingers and hand, making sure the affected finger looks natural.

Once everything is stabilized, the finger is immobilized in a cast or splint. Your child will have several post-op follow-up appointments and recovery will proceed accordingly depending on how severe the curvature was and the extent of surgery.

The timeline for returning to daily activities can vary, and is something to ask your doctor. Once all of the bandages or casts are removed, the doctor might suggest working with an occupational or physical therapist who specializes in hand mobility to help your child regain full range of motion or learn to adapt to a new range of mobility or functioning. Overall, the outlook for a child with clinodactyly is good.

With proper treatment, the finger can be straightened and range of mobility can be restored. If your child has clinodactyly, talk with their doctor about your options and whether surgery is appropriate at this time.