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Here’s everything you need to know about cast care for your child’s broken bone.
At Luskin Orthopedic Institute for Children (LuskinOIC), your child will receive treatment for hand trauma, congenital differences, or microsurgery from award-winning doctors in pediatric orthopedics. Our state-of-the-art technology helps us treat our patients and get them on the path to living full and active lives.
If you suspect your child has had an injury to their hand, they should be seen right away, and our experts will provide the diagnosis and treatment needed to ensure the best possible recovery.
Monday - Friday: 8am - 4pm
Closed: Saturday and Sunday
Hand Injuries
The hand trauma experts at LuskinOIC can provide several types of treatment, depending on your child’s specific needs. Hand injury or hand trauma treatment may include:
Congenital Differences
In cases where a child is content and functioning well, treatment may not be necessary. However, if a hand malformation impedes a child's desired activities, we may explore treatment options to address the challenges they face. Options for treating congenital hand differences include:
Hand Injuries
These types of injuries can affect how well your child can use their hands, and can have a negative impact on their everyday quality of life. Prompt evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential to assess the extent of the injury and determine the appropriate treatment plan, which may include splinting, casting, or surgical intervention in severe cases.
There are several types of hand injuries your child may experience. Some are from traumas — single events like a car accident or a fall. Other injuries develop over time, from overuse or repeated injuries that weaken the parts of the hand.
Hand injuries may include:
Congenital Differences
Approximately 1% to 2% of newborns are born with congenital differences, with 10% of these cases involving malformations in the hand. Congenital hand differences, or congenital hand disorders, can manifest early in pregnancy during development of the arms, hands, and fingers — whether due to genetic syndromes, environmental factors, or interruptions during development.
Additionally, issues with the hands or upper extremities may arise after a child is born, due to trauma or illness.
Congenital differences affecting the hands include:
The impact of a hand malformation varies depending on its type and severity. Some infants and children easily adapt and function normally, and others may encounter challenges as they develop and learn, such as:
At LuskinOIC’s Orthopaedic Hemophilia Treatment Center (OHTC), we set the standard in treating hemophilia joint and limb issues. In 1970, OHTC was designated by the World Federation of Hemophilia as one of the first four International Hemophilia Training Centers.
We’ve consistently been pioneers for our patients: we were the first comprehensive care center on the West Coast, we performed the first successful hip replacement surgery in a patient with hemophilia, and through clinical trials we have been providing the newest treatments available.
In addition to treatment, we conduct groundbreaking research, provide innovative and personalized physical therapy, and offer genetic counseling for patients and their families.
It’s easy to take the hands and wrists for granted—until one of them isn’t working properly. If your child has a hand injury, the tendons, ligaments, muscles, bones or joints that make up their hands and wrists may stop functioning correctly.
For congenital hand differences, every child is unique, and treatment is based on each child’s individual needs. The primary objective and benefit of treatment for congenital hand differences are centered on enhancing the child's functional capacity. Additionally, the aim is to enhance the appearance of the affected hand, improving the child's self-esteem and confidence.
Surgery for children with hand trauma or hand differences should be done by a highly skilled pediatric orthopedic hand doctor, who is experienced in surgical repairing the many tiny bones in the hand and wrist.
Congenital hand differences are frequently diagnosed through prenatal ultrasound examinations. The precise cause of many hand deformities remains unknown, making prevention challenging.
While treatment cannot commence until after birth, an early diagnosis enables parents to prepare for necessary interventions. Our physicians offer prenatal consultations to assist families in planning for treatment, which typically commences during the early years of the child's life. At LuskinOIC, doctors also conduct postnatal assessments immediately after birth to identify any hand abnormalities.
Evaluation of hand deformities involves a comprehensive physical examination by an orthopedist, assessing the shape, mobility, and functionality of the hand, fingers, wrist, and forearm. Associated deformities in the opposite hand, legs, and spine may also be examined, with additional specialist consultations sought if necessary.
X-rays play a crucial role in diagnosis, revealing any missing, shortened, or fused bones in the hand or arm. Comparison X-rays of the opposite hand aid in assessment, while imaging of the legs and spine may be necessary to identify associated abnormalities common in certain conditions.
LuskinOIC provides comprehensive care for children, starting with precise diagnoses and continuing through the entire treatment process. Our expert treatment through the Hand and Microsurgery Center includes care for:
Medical Professional's Help Line: (213)741-8325
Fax Referrals: (213) 741-8338
Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday