Pediatric Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Program

Valley Children’s Division of Plastic and Hand Surgery and the Pediatric Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Program restores form and function for children with congenital hand differences.

A young boy smiles and gives a thumbs up

Congenital hand differences can affect critical aspects of your child’s growth and well-being. With limited capabilities of hands or fingers, children can be both restricted in normal form and functional development. These conditions can also be particularly disabling when they begin to explore the world around them and interact with others through sensory touch. With board-certified and fellowship-trained pediatric hand specialists, parents can count on Valley Children’s Healthcare pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgeons to help improve congenital hand differences affecting your child.

It is critical to see a specialized pediatric hand expert with congenital hand surgery expertise. Various conditions can range from one finger that is abnormally longer or shorter to more severe differences. If your child has been born with any hand condition that concerns you, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with our pediatric plastic and reconstructive hand specialist at Valley Children’s Healthcare. Early consultation is critical for optimal treatments which can include observation, hand therapy and sometimes reconstructive surgery. Our goal is to intervene at the ideal time to prevent worsening deformity of the upper extremity.

Conditions We Treat

Valley Children’s Healthcare offers dedicated pediatric care for children of all ages, from newborn to young adult. We provide the most advanced surgical capabilities, including virtual presurgical planning for surgical efficiency and optimal results. Also, our pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgical team offers telemedicine capabilities in Modesto and Bakersfield – so pre- and post-surgical exams are more convenient for both parents and young patients.

For any malformation of the hand, including the most complex conditions, our team of skilled pediatric plastic and reconstructive hand surgeons at Valley Children’s Healthcare can restore form and function, including:

Congenital Hand Differences

The Program treats a variety of congenital hand differences, including:

Camptodactyly
Clasped thumb
Cleft hand
Clinodactyly
Constriction band syndrome
Congenital radial head dislocation
Macrodactyly
Madelung deformity
Phocomelia
Polydactyly (duplication)
Radial longitudinal deficiency (radial club hand)
Radioulnar synostosis
Symbrachydactyly
Syndactyly (fused fingers)
Thumb hypoplasia
Trigger finger
Ulnar longitudinal deficiency

Neuromuscular

The team treats a variety of neuromuscular conditions, including:

Arthrogryposis (including amyoplasia)
Cerebral palsy
Tendon transfer

Sport-related injuries

Our team has extensive experience treating a range of sports-related injuries, including:

Finger fractures
Forearm fractures
Metacarpal fractures
Scaphoid fractures
Wrist and carpal fractures
Wrist injuries (ligaments and instability)

Traumatic upper-extremity injuries

Our team also has experience treating traumatic injuries to the upper extremities, including:

Finger and hand amputation
Finger, hand and wrist fractures and ligament injuries
Tendon and nerve injuries
Volkmann's contracture

Nerve injuries

Our team is experienced in treating nerve injuries, including:

Carpal tunnel
Cubital tunnel
Lacerations
Nerve compression
Neuromas

Tumors

Working together in a multidisciplinary fashion with other pediatrics services and specialists at Valley Children's, the Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Program team is well-versed in treating a variety of tumors, including:

Enchondromas
Finger, hand, wrist and forearm tumors
Ganglions
Giant cell tumor
Hemihypertrophy
Lipofibromatous hamartoma
Multiple hereditary osteochondromas
Neurofibromatosis
Neuromas
Ollier disease
Osteochondromas
Vascular malformations

Lower extremity reconstruction

Our team has expertise in lower extremity reconstructive surgeries for conditions including:

Nerve injuries
Neuromas
Polydactyly
Syndactyly

Other

The Pediatric Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Program brings a team-based approach to caring for children with a wide range of conditions, including:

Soft tissue reconstruction
- Free tissue transfer (microsurgery)
Burn reconstruction
Surgical services for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

In addition to correcting congenital hand differences, our team also offers skilled diagnosis and treatment for a range of other hand conditions, including massive tissue loss or removal of foreign bodies due to trauma.

Blair smiles inside the Rehab Center Playroom at Valley Children's Hospital

Innovative 3D Surgical Planning for Madelung Difference Helps Blair Get Back to Being “Uniquely Blair”

Blair was born with a rare condition called Madelung difference – her wrists curved outward, causing pain and limited movement which made basic activities incredibly difficult. With a detailed game plan, using breakthrough 3D surgical planning technology and a coordinated multidisciplinary approach, Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Program Director Dr. Michael Galvez and his team helped the 13-year-old thrive, playing without limitations.

Read Blair's story