Ape Hand
Top Contributors - Kehinde Fatola, Joseph Ayotunde Aderonmu, Ahmed M Diab, Kim Jackson and Shaimaa Eldib
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Ape hand deformity is a condition in which the thumb is permanently rotated and adducted, resulting in a loss of its opposable function. This deformity is caused by damage to the distal median nerve, which supplies the muscles that control the thumb.[1] Abduction of the thumb is the ability to move the perpendicular (90°) away from the plane of the palm. The opposition is the ability of the first metacarpal to swing over the palmar surface of the hand so that the thumb and the tip of the little finger are in contact. The thumb may also experience limited flexion and extension.
The term "ape hand" is however misleading as apes have opposable hands but due to the limitations in the function of the thumb, some people believe it makes the hand looks like that of an ape.
Mechanism of Injury / Pathological Process[edit | edit source]
The mechanism of injury is a deep injury to the arm, forearm and wrist causing damage to the median nerve thereby causing impairment to the thenar muscles and opponens policis. [2]
Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]
The condition is a part of median nerve palsy and it typically presents with problems moving the thumb in various planes. There is a limited range of motion of the thumb.
Management / Interventions[edit | edit source]
Surgery may be prescribed depending on the severity of the deformity, anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroid injections may also be used. [3] Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy and dynamic splinting which pulls the thumb in opposition may prevent excess in deformity. It is however possible to recover without treatment. Physical therapy helps to regain muscle strength while splints (C-splints) and braces help to recover. [4] Although not much research has been done on Physiotherapy and Ape Hand, according to one study published in 2017, ape hand deformity improves with physiotherapy.[5]
Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Dydyk AM, Negrete G, Cascella M. Median nerve injury.[1]
- ↑ Gross Anatomy - The Brachial Plexus. Available from; https://web.archive.org/web/20090904141914/http://www.upstate.edu/cdb/grossanat/limbs2.shtml (Last accessed 11/Oct/2020)
- ↑ Washington State Department of Labor and Industry. Work-Related Proximal Median Nerve Entrapment (PMNE) Diagnosis and Treatment (PDF). 2009.
- ↑ US National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus. Distal median nerve dysfunction. Available from; https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000691.htm (Last accessed 11/10/2020)
- ↑ Amelot A, Lechanoine F, François P, Terrier LM. Bilateral ape hand deformity. Neurology. 2017 Aug 8;89(6):638-9. [2]
- ↑ FSUMedMedia | Claw Hand, Ape Hand, and the Sign of Benediction: Animated Review | Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AAligXLJ1A [Last accessed: 11/17/2021]
