CONGENITAL SWAN NECK DEFORMITY: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Many theories have been suggested for the etiology of congenital swan neck deformity. The one main theory is that there is a lack of anatomical balance of the extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of the finger that is affected. Also, due to the imbalance between the flexors and extensors, flexion at the proximal interphalangeal joint results. As the patient gets older, there is increased lag in the extensors leading to worse flexion deformity, and this is mainly an aesthetic rather than a purely functional problem.A seven-month-old female infant presented with a hand deformity (congenital swan neck deformity on the fifth finger) that started appearing spontaneously and insidiouslywhen the infant was six months old. Operations for this type of deformity can range from skin plasties, artholysis, tenotomies, tendon transfers, and osteotomies to arthrodesis.Postoperative care consists of a splint, in which the duration in which it is kept is based on the technique used.