page_title: Ulnar claw
hierarchical_section_title: Ulnar claw
caption_attribution_description: English: Photograph of a healthy hand imitating an ulnar claw. The claw is defined as extension of the metacarpophalangeal joints and flexion of the interphalangeal joints of the 4th and 5th fingers. The thumb and 2nd and 3rd fingers should appear normal at rest. (The IP joint of the thumb is somewhat flexed in this photo, but that is not a symptom of ulnar clawing.)
context_page_description: An ulnar claw, also known as claw hand, or 'spinster's claw' is a deformity or an abnormal attitude of the hand that develops due to ulnar nerve damage causing paralysis of the lumbricals. A claw hand presents with a hyperextension at the metacarpophalangeal joints and flexion at the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of the 4th and 5th fingers. The patients with this condition can make a full fist but when they extend their fingers, the hand posture is referred to as claw hand. The ring- and little finger can usually not fully extend at the proximal interphalangeal joint.
  This can be commonly confused with the "hand of benediction or pope's blessing", which is caused by proximal median nerve damage.
context_section_description: An ulnar claw, also known as claw hand, or 'spinster's claw' is a deformity or an abnormal attitude of the hand that develops due to ulnar nerve damage causing paralysis of the lumbricals.  A claw hand presents with a  hyperextension at the metacarpophalangeal joints and flexion at the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of the 4th and 5th fingers.  The patients with this condition can make a full fist but when they extend their fingers, the hand posture is referred to as claw hand. The ring- and little finger can usually not fully extend at the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP).
  This can be commonly confused with the "hand of benediction or pope's blessing", which is caused by proximal (at elbow level) median nerve damage.
caption: A hand imitating an ulnar claw. The metacarpophalangeal joints of the 4th and 5th fingers are extended and the Interphalangeal joints of the same fingers are flexed.
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