Meet Mary Claire Manske, MD, MAS, FAOA, a new attending physician with the Orthopedic Center, the Hand and Arm Disorders Program, Brachial Plexus Injury Program and Cerebral Palsy Program, all at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). With nearly a decade of experience as a pediatric hand and upper extremity surgeon, Dr. Manske is nationally recognized for her clinical expertise and research contributions.
Dr. Manske specializes in caring for children who:
- Are born with congenital hand and arm differences
- Have nerve and muscle conditions that affect how the arm works – such as brachial plexus birth injuries and cerebral palsy
- Have systemic conditions that affect the hand and arm, like skeletal disorders
- Have experienced traumatic injuries like broken bones, cuts or damage to tendons/nerves
Dr. Manske joins a team of pediatric experts in the Hand and Arm Disorders Program at CHOP, the region’s largest center dedicated to providing evaluation, treatment and long-term follow-up care for children with congenital hand deformities, hand injuries and tumors of the hand and arm.
Here, she shares why she chose to specialize in treating children with hand and arm conditions, how her research interests help advance the care she provides, and how she incorporates feedback from patients and families into treatment plans.
Question: Can you share a bit about your background and training?
Answer: I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where I was a competitive rower in high school and college. That experience shaped my appreciation for teamwork, discipline and perseverance.
I attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, then returned to St. Louis to complete medical school and my orthopedic surgery residency at Washington University School of Medicine.
After residency, I pursued advanced subspecialty training, completing a hand and microvascular surgery fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle, followed by an added pediatric hand and upper extremity fellowship at Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California in Sacramento. This extra fellowship focused on pediatric training allowed me to specialize in complex conditions affecting children’s hands, arms and nerves.
Before joining CHOP, I spent 9 years caring for children at Shriners Children’s Northern California and the University of California, Davis, where I treated infants, children and adolescents from across the western United States. I am proud to bring that experience to CHOP and the Philadelphia region.
Q: What inspired your interest in pediatric orthopedic surgery and hand/arm conditions?
A: I was drawn to pediatric orthopedics early in my career because of the opportunity to make a meaningful, long-term difference in a child’s life. Children are remarkably resilient, and thoughtful care early on can shape not only how a limb functions, but also how a child sees themselves and participates in the world.
The hand is central to how children explore, play, learn and connect with others. Hand and arm conditions combine technical complexity with profound functional and social impact. I was inspired by mentors who showed me that pediatric hand surgery is not just about correcting anatomy – it’s about helping children develop independence and confidence over their whole lives.
Q: Can you describe your experience caring for children with hand or arm conditions?
A: I care for infants, children and adolescents with a wide range of hand, arm and nerve conditions, from common to rare, who need treatments that range from simple to very complex. My clinical experience includes:
- Brachial plexus birth injuries, from newborn evaluation through childhood and adolescence
- Congenital hand and arm differences, such as syndactyly (joined fingers), polydactyly (extra fingers), thumb differences, deficiencies in the radius or ulnar bones (bones in the lower arm), and limb length differences
- Cerebral palsy and neuromuscular conditions affecting upper extremity function
- Arthrogryposis and other conditions associated with joint stiffness and muscle imbalance
- Traumatic injuries of the hand and arm in children and teens
- Many other conditions – hand surgery is so diverse that it's impossible to list them all!
Treatment plans may include observation, therapy, splinting, injections or surgery, depending on the child’s age, goals, overall development, and their family’s goals and values. I work closely with occupational therapists, physical therapists, neurologists, and many other specialists to ensure each child receives comprehensive, coordinated care.
Q: Are there specific conditions that interest you from a research perspective?
A: My clinical and research work focuses particularly on brachial plexus birth injury, congenital (present at birth) upper extremity differences, and conditions that affect how children use their arms in daily life. I am especially interested in understanding why these conditions occur, how they affect families over time, and how we can improve outcomes through earlier diagnosis and better decision-making.
Much of my research has examined prenatal and perinatal risk factors, long-term outcomes, and disparities in care. I believe research should directly inform how we counsel families and design treatment plans, and my goal is always to translate data into clearer guidance and better care for children.
Q: Who are your role models, and how have they influenced your work?
A: I have been fortunate to train with and learn from many exceptional pediatric hand surgeons, researchers and educators throughout my career.
My role models are physicians who combine technical excellence with humility, curiosity and a deep respect for families. They taught me that listening carefully to parents and children is just as important as surgical skills, and that the best outcomes come from long-term partnerships with families, rather than one-time decisions.
My other role models are my parents and siblings, many of whom are in caregiving professions.
Q: What are your professional interests, and how do they impact patient care?
A: My professional interests center on patient and family education, outcomes-based research and access to specialized care. I believe families make the best decisions when they are well informed, supported and given time to ask questions.
Through research, education and collaboration, I strive to:
- Provide families with clear, honest information about what to expect about their child’s condition or treatment
- Use data to guide treatment recommendations, rather than relying on tradition – or what’s “always been done” before
- Improve access to specialized care and treatment for children with complex hand and arm conditions
Ultimately, my goal is to help children achieve the highest possible level of function while supporting their family along the way.
Q: How do you approach working with families and explaining treatment options?
A: I approach every family with the understanding that this is their child, and their concerns and goals matter deeply. I take time to explain the diagnosis in plain language, using visuals or examples when helpful, and I encourage questions at every step.
When discussing treatment options, I focus on:
- What the condition means for the child now, and in the future
- All reasonable options, including when non-operative treatment and observation are most appropriate
- The potential benefits, risks and uncertainties of each treatment approach
I see decision-making about a child’s care as a shared process with the family. My role is to guide families with experience and evidence, while respecting their values and priorities. Families should leave visits feeling informed, supported and confident that they have a clear plan moving forward.
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Meet Mary Claire Manske, MD, MAS, FAOA, a new attending physician with the Orthopedic Center, the Hand and Arm Disorders Program, Brachial Plexus Injury Program and Cerebral Palsy Program, all at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). With nearly a decade of experience as a pediatric hand and upper extremity surgeon, Dr. Manske is nationally recognized for her clinical expertise and research contributions.
Dr. Manske specializes in caring for children who:
- Are born with congenital hand and arm differences
- Have nerve and muscle conditions that affect how the arm works – such as brachial plexus birth injuries and cerebral palsy
- Have systemic conditions that affect the hand and arm, like skeletal disorders
- Have experienced traumatic injuries like broken bones, cuts or damage to tendons/nerves
Dr. Manske joins a team of pediatric experts in the Hand and Arm Disorders Program at CHOP, the region’s largest center dedicated to providing evaluation, treatment and long-term follow-up care for children with congenital hand deformities, hand injuries and tumors of the hand and arm.
Here, she shares why she chose to specialize in treating children with hand and arm conditions, how her research interests help advance the care she provides, and how she incorporates feedback from patients and families into treatment plans.
Question: Can you share a bit about your background and training?
Answer: I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where I was a competitive rower in high school and college. That experience shaped my appreciation for teamwork, discipline and perseverance.
I attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, then returned to St. Louis to complete medical school and my orthopedic surgery residency at Washington University School of Medicine.
After residency, I pursued advanced subspecialty training, completing a hand and microvascular surgery fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle, followed by an added pediatric hand and upper extremity fellowship at Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California in Sacramento. This extra fellowship focused on pediatric training allowed me to specialize in complex conditions affecting children’s hands, arms and nerves.
Before joining CHOP, I spent 9 years caring for children at Shriners Children’s Northern California and the University of California, Davis, where I treated infants, children and adolescents from across the western United States. I am proud to bring that experience to CHOP and the Philadelphia region.
Q: What inspired your interest in pediatric orthopedic surgery and hand/arm conditions?
A: I was drawn to pediatric orthopedics early in my career because of the opportunity to make a meaningful, long-term difference in a child’s life. Children are remarkably resilient, and thoughtful care early on can shape not only how a limb functions, but also how a child sees themselves and participates in the world.
The hand is central to how children explore, play, learn and connect with others. Hand and arm conditions combine technical complexity with profound functional and social impact. I was inspired by mentors who showed me that pediatric hand surgery is not just about correcting anatomy – it’s about helping children develop independence and confidence over their whole lives.
Q: Can you describe your experience caring for children with hand or arm conditions?
A: I care for infants, children and adolescents with a wide range of hand, arm and nerve conditions, from common to rare, who need treatments that range from simple to very complex. My clinical experience includes:
- Brachial plexus birth injuries, from newborn evaluation through childhood and adolescence
- Congenital hand and arm differences, such as syndactyly (joined fingers), polydactyly (extra fingers), thumb differences, deficiencies in the radius or ulnar bones (bones in the lower arm), and limb length differences
- Cerebral palsy and neuromuscular conditions affecting upper extremity function
- Arthrogryposis and other conditions associated with joint stiffness and muscle imbalance
- Traumatic injuries of the hand and arm in children and teens
- Many other conditions – hand surgery is so diverse that it's impossible to list them all!
Treatment plans may include observation, therapy, splinting, injections or surgery, depending on the child’s age, goals, overall development, and their family’s goals and values. I work closely with occupational therapists, physical therapists, neurologists, and many other specialists to ensure each child receives comprehensive, coordinated care.
Q: Are there specific conditions that interest you from a research perspective?
A: My clinical and research work focuses particularly on brachial plexus birth injury, congenital (present at birth) upper extremity differences, and conditions that affect how children use their arms in daily life. I am especially interested in understanding why these conditions occur, how they affect families over time, and how we can improve outcomes through earlier diagnosis and better decision-making.
Much of my research has examined prenatal and perinatal risk factors, long-term outcomes, and disparities in care. I believe research should directly inform how we counsel families and design treatment plans, and my goal is always to translate data into clearer guidance and better care for children.
Q: Who are your role models, and how have they influenced your work?
A: I have been fortunate to train with and learn from many exceptional pediatric hand surgeons, researchers and educators throughout my career.
My role models are physicians who combine technical excellence with humility, curiosity and a deep respect for families. They taught me that listening carefully to parents and children is just as important as surgical skills, and that the best outcomes come from long-term partnerships with families, rather than one-time decisions.
My other role models are my parents and siblings, many of whom are in caregiving professions.
Q: What are your professional interests, and how do they impact patient care?
A: My professional interests center on patient and family education, outcomes-based research and access to specialized care. I believe families make the best decisions when they are well informed, supported and given time to ask questions.
Through research, education and collaboration, I strive to:
- Provide families with clear, honest information about what to expect about their child’s condition or treatment
- Use data to guide treatment recommendations, rather than relying on tradition – or what’s “always been done” before
- Improve access to specialized care and treatment for children with complex hand and arm conditions
Ultimately, my goal is to help children achieve the highest possible level of function while supporting their family along the way.
Q: How do you approach working with families and explaining treatment options?
A: I approach every family with the understanding that this is their child, and their concerns and goals matter deeply. I take time to explain the diagnosis in plain language, using visuals or examples when helpful, and I encourage questions at every step.
When discussing treatment options, I focus on:
- What the condition means for the child now, and in the future
- All reasonable options, including when non-operative treatment and observation are most appropriate
- The potential benefits, risks and uncertainties of each treatment approach
I see decision-making about a child’s care as a shared process with the family. My role is to guide families with experience and evidence, while respecting their values and priorities. Families should leave visits feeling informed, supported and confident that they have a clear plan moving forward.
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