Radial Clubhand Treatment in India

Aadya Ali is a bright-eyed 3-year-old...

Aadya Ali is a bright-eyed 3-year-old from a small town in Uttar Pradesh. She was born with a visible deformity in her right arm, her wrist was bent sharply towards her thumb, and her forearm appeared shorter. Her parents, initially heartbroken, noticed she struggled to use her right hand for simple tasks like holding a toy or steadying herself while crawling. During a visit to a city hospital, an orthopedic surgeon diagnosed her with Type IV Radial Clubhand. The doctor explained that without intervention, the deformity would worsen, limiting function and causing social challenges. He recommended a centralization procedure, where the hand would be realigned over the ulna bone, preceded by serial casting to gently stretch the soft tissues. Aadya underwent the surgery. The initial weeks in a long cast were difficult; she was frustrated and often cried. Her parents diligently performed her therapy exercises, turning them into games. A year later, Aadya's wrist is straighter and stable. She can now use both hands to clap, carry her school bag, and color. Emotionally, her parents moved from anxiety to immense relief, watching their daughter gain confidence and independence. Aadya herself, now unaware of her early struggle, beams with pride at her 'strong arm'.