Windblown hand

Title

Other Names:

Congenital ulnar drift; Windswept hand; Congenital contractures of the digits

Summary Summary

Windblown hand is a hand deformity that is present from birth. The cause of this deformity is unknown. People with windblown hand have flexion contractures of the joints at the base of each finger that prevents normal mobility of their hand and causes their fingers to bend toward their "little" finger (i.e., ulnar drift). In addition, windblown hand is characterized by a "thumb-in-palm deformity" or "clasped thumb" where the thumb is webbed to the palm by a soft tissue bridge.^[1]

Click here to view the anatomy of the hand provided by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.

Last updated: 7/23/2013

Cause Cause

The cause of windblown hand is unknown.^[2] It is thought that windblown hand may represent a variation of some type of arthrogryposis.^[1] Arthrogryposis is a very large and varied group of disorders that have the common feature of multiple congenital joint contractures.

Last updated: 7/23/2013

Inheritance Inheritance

There have been reports of both sporadic and genetic cases of windblown hand. In genetic cases, the condition is commonly described as having an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance.^[2]

Last updated: 7/23/2013

Treatment Treatment

Treatment of windblown hand may involve surgical correction and reconstruction. Because windblown hand has many variations, each patient must be treated individually.^[1] We recommend speaking with a healthcare provider to discuss your treatment options. In addition, it may be helpful to set up a consultation with a hand surgeon. The following tool can help you locate a hand surgeon in your area.

American Society for Surgery of Hand
Find-A-Hand Surgeon: http://www.assh.org/Public/Pages/HandSurgeons.aspx

In addition, because windblown hand is thought to possibly be a variant form of arthrogryposis you may find the following Web page with links to help you locate arthrogryposis specialists and specialty centers to be helpful.

A National Support group for Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AVENUES)
http://www.avenuesforamc.com/medpros/med.htm

Last updated: 7/23/2013

Do you have updated information on this condition? Let us know.

Research Research

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Patient Registry

The Genetic Analysis of Limb Malformation Disorders is a research project and patient registry that aims to better understand the cause of congenital contractures. Click on the link above to learn more.

Genetic Analysis of Limb Malformation Disorders
Bamshad Laboratory
University of Washington SOM
Department of Pediatrics
Division of Genetics & Developmental Medicine
1959 NE Pacific St. HSB RR349 B
Seattle, WA 98195-6320 USA
Maggie McMillin, Research Study Coordinator
E-mail: margaret.mcmillin@seattlechildrens.org
E-mail 2: mcmillin@u.washington.edu
Phone: 206-221-3849

Organizations Organizations

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

A National Support group for Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AVENUES)
P.O. Box 5192
Sonora, CA 95370
E-mail: info@avenuesforamc.com
Website: http://www.avenuesforamc.com
A National Support group for Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AVENUES)
P.O. Box 5192
Sonora, CA 95370
E-mail: info@avenuesforamc.com
Website: http://www.avenuesforamc.com
Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita Support Inc.
P.O. Box 6291
Spartanburg, SC 29304
E-mail: bod@amcsupport.org
Website: http://www.amcsupport.org
Birth Defect Research for Children, Inc.
976 Lake Baldwin Lane, Suite 104
Orlando, FL 32814
Telephone: 407-895-0802
E-mail: staff@birthdefects.org
Website: http://www.birthdefects.org/
Helping Hands Foundation
P.O. Box 332
Medfield, MA 02052
E-mail: http://www.helpinghandsgroup.org/contact_us.php
Website: http://www.helpinghandsgroup.org/
Reach: The Association for Children with Hand or Arm Deficiency
P.O. Box 54
Helston Cornwall, Intl TR13 8WD
United Kingdom
Telephone: 0845 1306225
Website: http://www.reach.org.uk
SuperHands
515 NW Saltzman Road #767
Portland, OR 97229-6098
Telephone: 866-292-1430
E-mail: http://www.superhands.us/7trg33/contactsh.html
Website: http://www.superhands.us/
The Feingold Center for Children
52 Second Avenue, 1st Floor
Suite 520
Waltham, MA 02451
Telephone: 781-466-9555
Fax: 781-487-2361
E-mail: info@thenbdc.org
Website: http://www.thefeingoldcenter.org/

Social Networking Websites

RareConnect is an online social network for patients and families to connect with one another and share their experience living with a rare disease. The project is a joint collaboration between EURORDIS (European Rare Disease Organisation) and NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). Click on the link above to view the community for limb differences.

Do you know of an organization? Send us your suggestions.

Living With Living With

Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease.

Healthcare Resources

The American Society for Surgery of the Hand has a tool for locating hand surgeons. Click on the link to view this search tool.
A National Support group for Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AVENUES) has a tool for locating physicians with an special interest in arthrogryposis. Click on the link to use this search tool.

Learn More Learn More

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

The American Society for Surgery of the Hand provides information on congenital differences of the hand. Click on American Society for Surgery of the Hand to view the information page.
The Children’s Hospital Boston has a information page on congenital limb defects. Click on the link above to view this information page.
More information on limb abnormalities can be found at the following link from MEDLINEplus, the National Library of Medicine Web site designed to help you research your health questions.
More information on hand disorders can be found by visiting MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine Web site designed to help you research your health questions. Click on MedlinePlus to view this information.

In-Depth Information

PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Windblown hand. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

News & Events News & Events

News

Don’t Miss the NCATS Toolkit for Patient-Focused Therapy Development Event
August 31, 2017
Funding Opportunities Now Available for the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) Phase II
August 30, 2017
IRDiRC Goals 2017-2027: New Rare Disease Research Goals for the Next Decade
August 10, 2017

Other Conferences

4th Annual AMC Support Convention
July 16 - July 19, 2009
Philadelphia, PA
Web site to learn more: http://www.amcsupport.org/pa

GARD Answers GARD Answers

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

My nephew was diagnosed with windblown hand. How is this condition treated? How can I find general information? See answer

Have a question? Contact a GARD Information Specialist.

References References

Wood VE, Biondi J. Treatment of the windblown hand. J Hand Surg [Am]. 1990;
Grunert J, Jakubietz M, Polykandriotis E, Langer M. The windblown hand - Diagnosis, clinical picture and pathogenesis. Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir. 2004;

Do you know of a review article? Send us your suggestions.