Nutt and Flatt classified congenital defects of the central hand. The classification can help describe the severity of the defect and plan the therapeutic intervention. The authors are from the University of Iowa.
Patient selection: congenital defect in fingers 2, 3 and/or 4
Ray = phalanges and metacarpal
Number of Fingers Affected
Grade
all bones present
0
1 ray (metacarpal and phalanges) affected
1
2 rays
2
3 rays
3
1 of 3 Rays Affected (Grade 1)
Grade
1-2 phalanges present (1 or 2 missing)
1a
0 phalanges present; metacarpals normal
1b
part or all of the metacarpal is missing
1c
2 of 3 Rays Affected (Grade 2)
Grade
2-6 phalanges missing; metacarpals normal
2a
part or all of 1 metacarpal missing; other metacarpal normal
2b
part or all of both metacarpals missing (neither normal)
2c
3 of 3 Rays Affected (Grade 3)
Grade
3 - 9 phalanges missing; metacarpals normal
3a
part or all of 1 metacarpal missing
3b
part or all of 2 metacarpals missing
3c
part or all of 3 metacarpals missing
3d
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
