The Swan Neck Deformity of the Finger: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

The swan neck deformity of the finger, also known as swan-neck deformity and flexion contracture, occurs when the tendon in your finger is unable to extend fully, resulting in an abnormally curved finger that can be quite painful and sometimes extremely uncomfortable to move around. If you think you might have this condition, it’s important to consult with your doctor so they can make an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment option for you. Here’s what you need to know about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for the swan neck deformity of the finger.

What is a Swann neck deformity of the finger?

A swan neck deformity is a condition where one or more fingers are curving outwards. The finger may be unable to be straightened. It may also cause pain in the hand when gripping items because there is unnatural pressure on the finger. A swan neck deformity usually occurs in just one finger, but occasionally it can occur in more than one finger. 

What are the causes?

The causes of swan neck deformity are often unknown. However, there are some general factors that may lead to it. These include osteoarthritis, inflammation or injury to the joint capsule in the finger which leads to a decrease in range of motion. The swan neck deformity is also more common in people who have had surgery on their finger for another condition.

A swan neck deformity can develop due to a trauma injury to the hand such as a fracture. This will usually only happen with one digit though because more than one would have been injured at the same time. It could also happen due to an overuse injury such as from playing guitar too much or typing all day long on a computer keyboard.

What are symptoms and how does it look like?

Symptoms of swan neck deformity can be pain when bending a finger or trying to straighten it. The finger is permanently bent or crooked. When you try to bend your finger, there may be snapping or popping sounds as well. 

A swan neck deformity also causes your fingers to look like they are bending backwards at their joints. The knuckles may also appear swollen. If you try to straighten out your fingers in this condition, you will feel a sharp pain on the side of your finger joint closest to the palm. 

What treatment options are there?

Treatment options for swan neck deformity depend on the severity of your finger's curvature.

 If you have a mild case, your doctor may prescribe splints or orthotics that will straighten your finger.

 If your finger is curved to a more severe degree, surgery may be required to treat it. One common surgery procedure is called dorsal metacarpal osteotomy. In this operation, bone grafts are taken from one or both sides of the patient's spine and attached to their fingers in order to straighten them. One major complication of this type of surgery is recurrence. The risk can be decreased by choosing an experienced surgeon who has performed similar surgeries with success in the past and who also chooses the most appropriate surgical technique based on your condition. 

Another treatment option is dorsal extension release (DER). The idea behind DER is to relieve pressure on the joint surface caused by excessively tight ligaments which have been diagnosed as being too short. 

DER procedures are considered less invasive than other treatments because they don't require cutting into healthy tissue. A surgeon makes small incisions where they attach metal hooks at each end which can then pull back the ligaments before stitching up the incision site.