Salvaging a Psycho-Flexed Hand

Abstract

A 35 years old lady presented with clenched fist with the background of a psychiatric symptoms.Examination revealed psychotic features with predominant negative symptoms and secondary contractureof left hand. Presumptive diagnosis of psycho-flexed hand was made and referred to department of Psychiatricand Neurological Rehabilitation. Manipulation under anesthesia, corrective casting, splinting, localelectrotherapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy are established methods of managing contracturesin rehabilitation medicine. When contractures of hands are identified in patients with psychiatric illness,same principles can be utilized and can be managed effectively by combined and co-coordinated efforts of amultidisciplinary team.

Keywords

• contracture
• hand
• psycho-flexed
• psychosis
• rehabilitation