I’ve seen my fair share of deformities, but I have to admit that arms like Dennis’ never fail to elicit a double take. When his mother Mary delivered him at home, with her mother acting as midwife, they were both completely shocked, never having seen a condition like his before. It’s called a radial clubhand, and it’s a birth defect resulting from a shortened or missing radius (the bone connecting the elbow to the forearm). The course of treatment often begins with splinting, accompanied by stretching and general physical therapy. But in Dennis’ case, none of that happened.

Mary’s initial attempt at trying to get help for her son was soon after he was born. But after consulting doctors at a nearby hospital, she was told that there was nothing that could be done while Dennis was still that young. So she went home, but ended up insisting that some form of treatment had to be available. To appease her belief, doctors prescribed some medications, which she gave Dennis religiously in hopes that it would help. Well, it didn’t. Back to the hospital she went, but that time, the only thing she was given was a letter referring her to us.

It’s now been a little over a year since Mary got that letter, and although I don’t know why it took her so long to follow through with it, I’m sure grateful that she did. Better late than never, eh? Dennis has lived with “bent hands” for his first two years of life, but he seemed pretty oblivious that anything was abnormal. During my time with him, he just kept sucking on his fingers while grabbing at anything within reach, just like a typical 2-year-old boy. I guess it’s like they say, ignorance is bliss. The only thing more blissful at this point will be correcting his deformity before he ever realizes he had it.