One-Year-Old with Rare Hand Deformity Treated Successfully post Complex Surgery

Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, has successfully corrected a severe and extremely rare congenital deformity in a one-year-old girl born with bilateral radial club hand (Inverted Hands) - a condition so uncommon that it affects as few as 1 in 2 lakh births when present on both hands. The deformity, visible at birth, left both her forearms misaligned and her thumbs missing, putting her at high risk of permanent disability.

The team of doctors led by Dr Manish Nanda, Additional Director, Plastic Surgery, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, conducted this challenging surgery. Such cases require early, highly specialised reconstructive surgical expertise to prevent permanent deformity and loss of function.

For the infant’s young parents, the diagnosis was overwhelming. Their daughter struggled with basic hand movements, and the fear of lifelong disability was a constant fear. When they arrived at Fortis Faridabad, an X-ray of her hands and cervical spine revealed the severity of the condition.

Adding to the complexity, Doctors also diagnosed the child with an associated congenital heart anomaly, significantly increasing the risks associated with any surgical intervention. Managing such a case demands exceptional precision, careful timing, and coordinated multidisciplinary care.

Despite these challenges, a multidisciplinary team led by Dr Manish Nanda successfully performed the globally accepted two-stage correction surgery over a month. In the first stage, doctors used a small external device to gently stretch the tight skin and tissues around her wrist which made space for the correction. After a month, in the second stage, the surgeons moved the only forearm bone to the centre of the wrist. This helped make the wrist stable and allowed the hand to grow in a straight and healthy position.

The procedure was completed with utmost precision despite the significant risks of operating on a one-year-old child with an associated cardiac condition. Each hand required about one hour of surgical time.

Correcting a bilateral deformity in an infant, involving vital nerves, vessels, and delicate developing structures, demanded exceptional surgical skill and thorough coordination. Despite these challenges, the surgery was carried out safely and successfully, marking a major step toward restoring normal hand function for the child.

Giving details of the case, Dr Manish Nanda, Additional Director, Plastic Surgery, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, said, “This was an extremely rare and challenging case. Operating on a one-year-old child with deformities in both hands requires precision, planning and teamwork. If left untreated, radial club hand can lead to permanent deformities, severely restricted movement, and long-term functional and cosmetic challenges.

Timely corrective surgery is therefore critical for ensuring normal hand development and quality of life. We are proud to see the infant recover and begin her journey toward normal hand function. Timely treatment makes all the difference in such conditions. Early intervention helps children regain function, confidence and quality of life.”

Expressing gratitude, the infant’s mother said, “When we first heard about her condition, we were terrified. We didn’t know if our daughter would ever be able to use her hands normally. But the doctors at Fortis gave us hope from the very first day. Watching her tiny hands slowly straighten is nothing short of a miracle for us. We are forever grateful to the team for giving our daughter a chance at a normal life.”

Dr Abhishek Sharma, Facility Director, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, said, “This case is a testament to the advanced paediatric surgical capabilities we have built at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad. Treating a one-year-old child with an extremely rare bilateral radial club hand requires exceptional precision, multidisciplinary coordination, and timely intervention.

I am proud of our team for delivering such a complex correction safely and successfully. Early treatment in cases like these not only prevents lifelong disability but also gives the child a fair chance at normal growth and function. At Fortis, our commitment is to ensure that every child receives the highest standard of care, no matter how rare or challenging the condition may be.”