Claw-hand caused by paralysis of the intrinsic muscles: a simple surgical procedure for its correction.

1. Claw-hand caused by palsy of the intrinsic muscles is corrected when slight flexion of the metacarpophalangeal joints is obtained. 2. The way to obtain this correction is to shorten the volar tissues of the joints. 3. Patients who have nerve lesions but do not have claw-hand are found to have a congenitally tight volar capsule of the metacarpophalangeal joints which prevents hyperextension. 4. The procedure can be performed at the same time as the neurorrhaphy if the surgeon considers it necessary. 5. The correction of the claw-hand should be obtained without tendon transpiantation since the tendons may be necessary for tendon transfers.