Hand and Arm Disorders Program Patient Stories

Diagnosed with trigger thumb on both hands, Madelyn, 2½, underwent successful surgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia during COVID-19.

When doctors suggested amputating Thaxton’s non-functioning thumb, his family sought alternative treatments – and hope – at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

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.

A combination of surgical procedures corrected Phoebe’s macrodactyly, an uncommon condition that causes irregular growth in a child's fingers or toes.

Diagnosed with polydactyly shortly after birth, surgery at CHOP has helped Zaki gain full hand function and even better flexibility than his doctors expected.

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.

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.

An argument over body lotion led to a startling discovery, a rare diagnosis, and improved function for Skylar.

Seven-year-old Clairianna had been living with a dislocated radius for nine months before doctors at CHOP made the discovery.

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!