Camptodactyly
Camptodactyly is a medical condition that causes one or more fingers or toes to be permanently bent. It involves fixed flexion deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joints.
Camptodactyly can be caused by a genetic disorder. In that case, it is an autosomal dominant trait that is known for its incomplete genetic expressivity. This means that when a person has the genes for it, the condition may appear in both hands, one, or neither. A linkage scan proposed that the chromosomal locus of camptodactyly was 3q11.2-q13.12.

Causes
The specific cause of camptodactyly remains unknown, but there are a few deficiencies that lead to the condition. A deficient lumbrical muscle controlling the flexion of the fingers, and abnormalities of the flexor and extensor tendons.A number of congenital syndromes may also cause camptodactyly:

Jacobsen syndrome
Beals syndrome
Blau syndrome
Freeman–Sheldon syndrome
Cerebrohepatorenal syndrome
Weaver syndrome
Christian syndrome 1
Gordon syndrome
Jacobs arthropathy-camptodactyly syndrome
Lenz microphthalmia syndrome
Marshall–Smith–Weaver syndrome
Oculo-dento-digital syndrome
Tel Hashomer camptodactyly syndrome
Toriello–Carey syndrome
Trisomy 13
Stuve–Wiedemann syndrome
Loeys–Dietz syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Fryns syndrome
Marfan syndrome
Carnio-carpo-tarsal dysthropy

Genetics
The pattern of inheritance is determined by the phenotypic expression of a gene—which is called expressivity. Camptodactyly can be passed on through generations in various levels of phenotypic expression, which include both or only one hand. This means that the genetic expressivity is incomplete. It can be inherited from either parent.
In most of its cases, camptodactyly occurs sporadically, but it has been found in several studies that it is inherited as an autosomal dominant condition.

Treatment
If a contracture is less than 30 degrees, it may not interfere with normal functioning. The common treatment is splinting and occupational therapy. Surgery is the last option for most cases as the result may not be satisfactory.

Etymology
The name is derived from the ancient Greek words kamptos (bent) and daktylos (finger).

See also
Clinodactyly

References
External links
 Media related to camptodactyly at Wikimedia Commons
 The dictionary definition of camptodactyly at Wiktionary