Congenital ulnar drift and camptodactyly produced by malformation of the retaining ligaments of the skin.

Two digital congenital deformities produced by failure of differentiation of parts of the retaining ligaments of the skin or the retinaculum cutis are named "congenital cutaneous ulnar drift" and "congenital cutaneous multiple camptodactyly," respectively, based on their pathogenesis and clinical characteristics. A classification of the deformities based on the tissues involved is presented which can be useful in determining when and what operative procedures to use for treatment. Types I and II can usually be corrected easily; they differ from Type III deformities, such as camptodactyly of the fifth finger and multiple congenital arthrogryposis, which do not lend themselves well to surgical correction. Surgical correction is indicated early in Type I and Type II cases, particularly when the deformity begins to increase; secondary tendinous, capsule, and bony alterations should be avoided.