Overview
Camptodactyly of fingers is a condition where one or more fingers are permanently bent in a fixed position at the middle joint (called the proximal interphalangeal joint). The word 'camptodactyly' comes from Greek words meaning 'bent finger.' Most often, the little (pinky) finger is affected, but other fingers can be involved too. The bending happens because of problems with the tendons, muscles, skin, or other soft tissues around the finger joint. In many cases, the condition is mild and does not cause pain, but it can limit how well you can straighten or use the affected fingers. Camptodactyly can occur on its own (isolated camptodactyly) or as part of a broader genetic syndrome. When it appears by itself, it is usually noticed at birth or during adolescence. There are generally two peaks of onset: one in infancy and another around puberty, particularly in girls. The severity can range from a barely noticeable bend to a significant contracture that affects hand function. Treatment depends on how severe the bending is and whether it interferes with daily activities. Mild cases may only need monitoring and gentle stretching exercises. Splinting is often tried first and can be helpful, especially in younger patients. For more severe cases that do not respond to conservative treatment, surgery may be considered to release the tight structures and improve finger straightening. However, surgical outcomes can be variable, and complete correction is not always achieved. Physical and occupational therapy play important roles in maintaining hand function.
Key symptoms:
One or more fingers permanently bent at the middle jointInability to fully straighten the affected fingerMost commonly affects the little (pinky) fingerStiffness in the affected finger jointDifficulty gripping or grasping objectsThe bend may worsen over time, especially during growth spurtsThickened skin or tissue on the palm side of the fingerReduced range of motion in the fingerMay affect one or both handsUsually painless but can cause functional limitations
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventMeyer Children's Hospital IRCCS
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Camptodactyly of fingers.
1 clinical trialare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Camptodactyly of fingers.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Camptodactyly of fingers.
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Caregiver Resources
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is my child's camptodactyly isolated or could it be part of a genetic syndrome?,Would splinting help, and how long would my child need to wear a splint?,At what point should we consider surgery, and what are the realistic outcomes?,Should we see a geneticist to check for related conditions?,What exercises or therapy can help improve finger function?,Will the bending get worse as my child grows?,Are there any activities my child should avoid or adapt?
Common questions about Camptodactyly of fingers
What is Camptodactyly of fingers?
Camptodactyly of fingers is a condition where one or more fingers are permanently bent in a fixed position at the middle joint (called the proximal interphalangeal joint). The word 'camptodactyly' comes from Greek words meaning 'bent finger.' Most often, the little (pinky) finger is affected, but other fingers can be involved too. The bending happens because of problems with the tendons, muscles, skin, or other soft tissues around the finger joint. In many cases, the condition is mild and does not cause pain, but it can limit how well you can straighten or use the affected fingers. Camptodact
Are there clinical trials for Camptodactyly of fingers?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Camptodactyly of fingers on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.