The psycho-flexed hand.

Five mentally disturbed patients had flexion contractures of the middle, ring, and little fingers of one or both hands. All gave a history of psychiatric illness manifested by depression. Since no organic etiology for the contractures was found, the authors name this condition the "psycho-flexed hand." Four of the five patients were middle-aged women who suffered long-term depression, hypochondriasis, and/or schizophrenia. The patients' severely contracted fingers often macerated the palm. Manipulation under anesthesia and splinting only temporarily relieved the contractures. Multiple complications occurred following splinting and hand therapy, as well as surgery. Therefore, caution is urged when attempting surgical correction before resolving the mental illness.