Hand and Arm Disorders Program Patient Stories
1 - 10 of 21
Trigger Thumbs: Madelyn’s Story
![Madelyn after surgery showing her wrapped hands Madelyn after surgery showing her wrapped hands](https://www.chop.edu/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/trigger-thumb-patient-madelyn-16x9.jpg?itok=2UlehQR0)
Diagnosed with trigger thumb on both hands, Madelyn, 2½, underwent successful surgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia during COVID-19.
Saving Thaxton’s Thumb: Treatment for Thumb Hypoplasia
![Thaxton and his mom with Dr. Shah Thaxton and his mom with Dr. Shah](https://www.chop.edu/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/hand-arm-disorder-patient-thaxton-mom-dr-shah-16x9.jpg?itok=gQWsI8f2)
When doctors suggested amputating Thaxton’s non-functioning thumb, his family sought alternative treatments – and hope – at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Holt-Oram Syndrome and Hand Reconstruction: Wade’s Story
![Wade holding football blonde hair boy holding football smiling](https://www.chop.edu/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/wade-16x9.jpg?itok=VK82WLmg)
From turning a book’s pages to carrying a baseball bat, Wade’s ability to negotiate the world has expanded thanks to his new thumbs.
Surgical Correction of Macrodactyly: Phoebe's Story
![Surgical Correction of Macrodactyly: Phoebe's Story Young girl macrodactyly patient in soccer uniform](https://www.chop.edu/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/phoebe-16x9.jpg?itok=aBSWvmgb)
A combination of surgical procedures corrected Phoebe’s macrodactyly, an uncommon condition that causes irregular growth in a child's fingers or toes.
Surgical Reconstruction of Thumb (Pre-axial) Polydactyly: Zaki’s Story
![Zaki Zaki](https://www.chop.edu/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/zaki-16x9.jpg?itok=y9ZCrxgD)
Diagnosed with polydactyly shortly after birth, surgery at CHOP has helped Zaki gain full hand function and even better flexibility than his doctors expected.
Surgical Reconstruction for Poland Syndrome: Beau's Story
![Beau as a baby Beau as a baby](https://www.chop.edu/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/poland-syndrome-patient-beau-16x9.jpg?itok=r9x8wASq)
Born with Poland syndrome, which caused his fingers to fuse together, Beau underwent surgery to give him the greatest possible function of his left hand.
Madelung's Deformity: Natasha's Story
![Natasha Natasha](https://www.chop.edu/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/madelungs-deformity-patient-natasha-320x180.jpg?itok=FXjIKQK7)
After surgery for a rare hand condition, Natasha is back to cheerleading and playing softball. Her experience at CHOP confirmed her interest in a career in medicine.
Skylar’s Story: Surgical Correction of Congenital Radioulnar Synostosis
![Skylar smiling Skylar smiling](https://www.chop.edu/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/ortho-patient-skylar-320x180.jpg?itok=DohGOBrm)
An argument over body lotion led to a startling discovery, a rare diagnosis, and improved function for Skylar.
Reconstruction of the Elbow: Clairianna’s Story
![Clairianna Clairianna](https://www.chop.edu/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/ortho-patient-elbow-reconstruction-clairianna-16x9.jpg?itok=icpek1oh)
Seven-year-old Clairianna had been living with a dislocated radius for nine months before doctors at CHOP made the discovery.
Thumb Hypoplasia: Dean’s Story
![Dean playing conga drums Dean playing conga drums](https://www.chop.edu/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/thumb-hypoplasia-dean-16x9.jpg?itok=bHKjXcgp)
Dean was born without bone or muscle in his left thumb. Surgeons at CHOP created a thumb using Dean's index finger. He's been unstoppable ever since!