A GP guide to congenital hand and foot conditions
Knowing how to manage and when to refer these cases will ensure the best developmental and functional outcomes for the child
Mem Fox draws a sweeping generalisation in her widely read children’s book Ten little fingers and ten little toes that is not always reflected in the general paediatric population — particularly those attending paediatric plastic surgery clinics.1
While the surgical management of common congenital hand and foot conditions is not in the scope of practice for primary care physicians, having an awareness of what and when to refer, whether investigations are warranted and when and how to reassure parents is useful for the GP.
