The clenched fist syndrome: case report of a clinical rarity of special interest for psychiatrists and hand surgeons
Abstract Background The Clenched Fist Syndrome (CFS) is a type of a psychiatric disorder, in which the patients show flexion finger contractures. Although no organic etiology can be identified, the syndrome in most cases presents with pain and paradoxical stiffness. Case presentation We, herein, rep...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-019-2348-4 |
| _version_ | 1818116643900882944 |
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| author | Abdulwares Meiwandi Marios Papadakis |
| author_facet | Abdulwares Meiwandi Marios Papadakis |
| author_sort | Abdulwares Meiwandi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The Clenched Fist Syndrome (CFS) is a type of a psychiatric disorder, in which the patients show flexion finger contractures. Although no organic etiology can be identified, the syndrome in most cases presents with pain and paradoxical stiffness. Case presentation We, herein, report the case of a 52-year old woman with a 6-month history of progressive hand flexion contracture and intermittent numbness in the first 3 fingers, mimicking carpal tunnel syndrome. On examination, all digits, including the thumb, were held in a tight flexion at the metacarpal and interphalangeal joints. Passive digital extension was painless in all fingers. Physical examination did not reveal any joint tenderness, joint or tendon sheath swelling. X ray was performed and did not show any abnormalities. Neurological examination did not reveal any organic etiology. Conclusions CFS is believed to be a conversion disorder, i.e. unconsciously motivated and produced, whereas others consider it a factitious disorder, i.e. unconsciously motivated but consciously produced. Surgical treatment is not indicated, as it can worsen the symptoms. The related literature is discussed. We conclude that CFS should always be considered in patients with unexplainable flexion hand contractures, especially in the presence of a positive psychiatric history. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T04:25:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9364b1e3d2304f8da63fa24c75a49293 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T04:25:47Z |
| publishDate | 2019-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-9364b1e3d2304f8da63fa24c75a492932022-12-22T01:20:59ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2019-11-011911410.1186/s12888-019-2348-4The clenched fist syndrome: case report of a clinical rarity of special interest for psychiatrists and hand surgeonsAbdulwares Meiwandi0Marios Papadakis1Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Helios University Hospital Wuppertal, Witten-Herdecke UniversityDivision of Surgery II, Witten-Herdecke UniversityAbstract Background The Clenched Fist Syndrome (CFS) is a type of a psychiatric disorder, in which the patients show flexion finger contractures. Although no organic etiology can be identified, the syndrome in most cases presents with pain and paradoxical stiffness. Case presentation We, herein, report the case of a 52-year old woman with a 6-month history of progressive hand flexion contracture and intermittent numbness in the first 3 fingers, mimicking carpal tunnel syndrome. On examination, all digits, including the thumb, were held in a tight flexion at the metacarpal and interphalangeal joints. Passive digital extension was painless in all fingers. Physical examination did not reveal any joint tenderness, joint or tendon sheath swelling. X ray was performed and did not show any abnormalities. Neurological examination did not reveal any organic etiology. Conclusions CFS is believed to be a conversion disorder, i.e. unconsciously motivated and produced, whereas others consider it a factitious disorder, i.e. unconsciously motivated but consciously produced. Surgical treatment is not indicated, as it can worsen the symptoms. The related literature is discussed. We conclude that CFS should always be considered in patients with unexplainable flexion hand contractures, especially in the presence of a positive psychiatric history.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-019-2348-4Clenched-fist-syndromePsychoflexed handHand contractureConversion disorder |
| spellingShingle | Abdulwares Meiwandi Marios Papadakis The clenched fist syndrome: case report of a clinical rarity of special interest for psychiatrists and hand surgeons BMC Psychiatry Clenched-fist-syndrome Psychoflexed hand Hand contracture Conversion disorder |
| title | The clenched fist syndrome: case report of a clinical rarity of special interest for psychiatrists and hand surgeons |
| title_full | The clenched fist syndrome: case report of a clinical rarity of special interest for psychiatrists and hand surgeons |
| title_fullStr | The clenched fist syndrome: case report of a clinical rarity of special interest for psychiatrists and hand surgeons |
| title_full_unstemmed | The clenched fist syndrome: case report of a clinical rarity of special interest for psychiatrists and hand surgeons |
| title_short | The clenched fist syndrome: case report of a clinical rarity of special interest for psychiatrists and hand surgeons |
| title_sort | clenched fist syndrome case report of a clinical rarity of special interest for psychiatrists and hand surgeons |
| topic | Clenched-fist-syndrome Psychoflexed hand Hand contracture Conversion disorder |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-019-2348-4 |
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