Case Report: Bilateral congenital fourth metacarpal shortening in a competitive softball athlete with preserved function - Takeaways - MDSpire
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Clinical Case Study: Functional Outcomes of Bilateral Congenital Shortening of the Fourth Metacarpal in a Competitive Softball Player

  • By

  • Sui-Ling Perez

  • Rakesh R. Nair

  • Noah S. Llaneras

  • Emily Garateix

  • Lidia Sabater

  • Roberto A. Miki

  • July 8, 2026

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  • 1

    Bilateral congenital shortening of the fourth metacarpal is classified as type E brachydactyly and may occur in isolation or with syndromic conditions.

  • 2

    A 67-year-old woman with this condition reported no history of hand dysfunction and competed in high-level softball without functional limitations.

  • 3

    Radiographic imaging confirmed stable morphology of the fourth metacarpals over more than a decade, supporting a congenital etiology.

  • 4

    The patient sustained wrist injuries leading to the incidental discovery of her congenital metacarpal shortening during imaging.

  • 5

    Conservative management resulted in the patient regaining a full, pain-free range of motion in both hands following her injuries.

Original Source(s)

Case Report: Bilateral congenital fourth metacarpal shortening in a competitive softball athlete with preserved function

  • by Sui-Ling Perez, Rakesh R. Nair, Noah S. Llaneras, Emily Garateix, Lidia Sabater, Roberto A. Miki

  • July 8, 2026

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