Brachydactyly

Brachydactyly describes a short finger. It is a greek word Brachy meaning short and dactyly meaning finger. In a child with brachydactyly, one or more bones in the finger are reduced in size. Brachydactyly may occur in isolation, as part of a complex hand anomaly, as a constituent of generalised syndrome or as a consequence of trauma.

Severity of the digital shortening is variable. Fingers have 3 bones ; one under the nail and two below that. The middle one is most commonly affected in children with brachydactyly.

Hand function is often normal in patients ; hence treatment remains conservative. Lengthening of digits is attempted only when there are severe functional or aesthetic problems.