Triphalangeal thumb

Finger-like appearance

First described by Columbi in 1559,[1] triphalangeal thumb (TPT) is a congenital malformation where the thumb has three phalanges instead of two. The extra phalangeal bone can vary in size from that of a small pebble to a size comparable to the phalanges in non-thumb digits. The true incidence of the condition is unknown, but is estimated at 1:25,000 live births.[2] In about two-thirds of the patients with triphalangeal thumbs, there is a hereditary component.[3] Besides the three phalanges, there can also be other malformations.

Appearance

In combination with polydactyly
Delta shaped extra phalanx

The triphalangeal thumb has a different appearance than normal thumbs. The appearance can differ widely; the thumb can be a longer thumb, it can be deviated in the radio-ulnar plane (clinodactyly), thumb strength can be diminished. In the case of a five fingered-hand it has a finger-like appearance, with the position in the plane of the four fingers, thenar muscle deficiency, and additional length. There is often a combination with radial polydactyly.

Complications

Generally, triphalangeal thumbs are non-opposable. In contrast to most people with opposable thumbs, a person suffering from TPT cannot easily place his or her thumb opposite the other four digits of the same hand. The opposable thumb's ability to effortlessly utilize fingers in a "pinch" formation is critical in precision gripping. For the thumb to adequately grip, certain thumb criteria must be met (e.g. suitable position and length, stable joints and good thenar muscle strength).[4] Because triphalangeal thumbs cannot easily oppose and do not possess many of the optimal qualities found in most opposable thumbs, they tend to cause the hand to be less effective in use and, therefore, prove to be more problematic in daily life.

Etiology

Malformations of the upper extremities can occur In the third to seventh embryonic week.[5] In some cases the TPT is hereditary. In these cases, there is a mutation on chromosome 7q36.[6] If the TPT is hereditary, it is mostly inherited as an autosomal dominant trait,[7] non-opposable and bilateral.[3] The sporadic cases are mostly opposable and unilateral.[8]

Syndromes

Triphalangeal thumb can occur in syndromes but it can also be isolated. The triphalangeal thumb can appear in combination with other malformations or syndromes.[5]

Syndromes include:

Malformations include:[5]

Classifications

There are multiple classifications for the triphalangeal thumb. The reason for these different classifications is the heterogeneity in appearance of the TPT. The classification according to Wood [9] describes the shape of the extra phalanx: delta (Fig. 4), rectangular or full phalanx (Table 1). With the classification made by Buck-Gramcko a surgical treatment can be chosen (Table 1). Buck-Gramcko differentiates between six different shapes of the extra phalanx and associated malformations.[10]

Table 1: Classifications of Wood [9] and Buck-Gramcko [10]

Classification according to Wood by shape of the extra phalanx Shape Classification according to Buck-Gramcko by shape/size of extra phalanx and associated malformations Shape
I Delta I Rudimentary triphalangism
II Short triangular middle phalanx (brachymesophalangeal)
II Rectangular III Trapezoidal middle phalanx (intermediate)
IV Long rectangular middle phalanx (dolichophalangeal)
III Full V Hypoplastic triphalangeal thumb
VI Triphalangeal thumb associated with polydactyly

Treatment

The goals of surgical treatment are: reducing length of the thumb, creating a good functioning, a stable and non deviated joint and improving the position of the thumb if necessary. Hereby improving function of the hand and thumb.

In general the surgical treatment is done for improvement of the thumb function. However, an extra advantage of the surgery is the improvement in appearance of the thumb. In the past, surgical treatment of the triphalangeal thumb was not indicated,[11] but now it is generally agreed that operative treatment improves function and appearance. Because an operation was not indicated in the past, there’s still a population with an untreated triphalangeal thumb. The majority of this population doesn’t want surgery, because the daily functioning of the hand is good.[11] The main obstacle for the untreated patients might not be the diminished function, but the appearance of the triphalangeal thumb.[11] The timing of surgery differs between Wood and Buck-Gramcko. Wood advises operation between the age of six months and two years,[12] while Buck-Gramcko advises to operate for all indications before the age of six years.[13]

- smaller trapezoidal phalanx and under six years: removal of the extra phalanx and reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament. Lengthening of the radial collateral ligament is only indicated when the clinodactyly is still present after reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament.[8]
- trapezoidal phalanx and older than six years: partial removal of the extra phalanx with correction of the angle. Arthrodesis of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP).[8]

References

  1. H. Kelikian, Hyperphalangism, congenital deformities of the hand and forearm, 1974
  2. Lapidus PW, Guidotti FP, Coletti CJ, Triphalageal thumb. Surg Gynecol Obstet, 1943
  3. 1 2 Temtamy SA, McKusick VA, the genetics of hand malformations, Birth defects Orig Artic Ser, 1978
  4. Zguricas J, Raeymaecker DM, Snijder PJ, Psychomotor development in children with triphalangeal thumbs, J Hand Surg Br, 1998
  5. 1 2 3 Qazi Q, Kassner EG, Triphalangeal thumb, J Med Genet, 1988
  6. Heutink P, Zguricas J, et al., The gene for triphalangeal thumb maps to the subtelomeric region of chromosome 7q, Nat. Genet. 1994, Mar;6(3):287-92
  7. Zguricas J, Snijders PJ, Hovius SE, Phenotypic analysis of triphalangeal thumb and associated hand malformations, J Med Genet, 1994
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 SER Hovius, JM Zuidam, T de Wit, treatment of the triphalangeal thumb, techniques in hand and upper extremity surgery, 2004
  9. 1 2 Wood, treatment of the triphalangeal thumb, Clin Orthop, 1976
  10. 1 2 Buck-Gramcko, congenital and development conditions, the interphalangeal joints- hand and upper limb, 1987
  11. 1 2 3 Zuidam JM, de Kraker M, Selles RW, Hovius SE, Evaluation of function and appearance of adults with untreated triphalangeal thumbs, J Hand Surg Am, 2010
  12. Wood VE, The triphalangeal thumb, Operated hand surgery, 1998
  13. Buck-Gramcko, The triphalangeal thumb, Congenital malformations of the hand and forearm, 1998
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