Z deformity

Last revised by Rob Foley on 24 Oct 2021

The Z deformity is one of the musculoskeletal manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis in hand:

  • radial deviation at the wrist
  • ulnar deviation of the digits, and often
  • palmar subluxation of the proximal phalanges

This should be differentiated from the Z-thumb deformity, also known as the hitchiker thumb deformity

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads