Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisStagingTreatment OptionsFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Causes

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Staging

Treatment Options

Frequently Asked Questions

Swan neck deformity is an abnormal positioning of the joints in your fingers. It’s named because of the way an affected finger bends, giving it a curved appearance similar to the neck of a swan.

Swan neck deformity can be treated with surgical and nonsurgical options. This overview will cover how the deformity develops, who is most likely to develop it, and how it can be treated.

Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

A X-ray image of a right hand with the joints highlighted in red on a black background.

The deformity can happen from a single injury or a combination of injuries, including:

Many factors can contribute to these injuries. Examples are sports injuries and trauma to the fingers. There are also diseases and conditions that can damage the fingers, including:

How RA Can Cause Deformities

That said, there are treatments that might help prevent swan neck deformity even if you have an inherited health condition that makes it more likely that you will develop it. The first step is to talk to your doctor about any risk factors that you have, such as:

Your age and sex do not affect your risk of developing swan neck deformity. However, research has shown that women with RA develop swan neck deformity more often than men with the condition do.

RecapThere are many causes and risk factors associated with swan neck deformity—from injuries to chronic health conditions. One of the most common causes is rheumatoid arthritis.

Recap

There are many causes and risk factors associated with swan neck deformity—from injuries to chronic health conditions. One of the most common causes is rheumatoid arthritis.

The deformed appearance of the affected finger is the primary sign of swan neck deformity. The characteristics of the deformity include:

How Your Finger Joints Work

Aside from its appearance, swan neck deformity can also cause other signs and symptoms in the affected finger, including:

Imaging studies can give your doctor a clear view of what the injury looks like inside your finger. An X-ray is usually enough, but your doctor might need more than one picture to see your finger from several angles.

Similar Deformities

There are other finger deformities that are similar to swan neck deformity. One example is a boutonnière deformity.

A boutonnière deformity is usually treated with splinting, casting, and exercises, but more severe cases may require surgery.

What Is Boutonnière Deformity?

Once a diagnosis of swan neck deformity has been made, the next step is to grade the severity of the condition to determine the best treatment.

According to this system, deformities are classified from type 1 to 4:

Depending on the stage of deformity, your doctor might recommend either surgical or nonsurgical treatment. Deformities that are in the early stages can often be treated with splinting or physical therapy, while more severe grades of deformity might require surgery.

Surgical

Surgical treatments are usually reserved for the most serious levels of deformity, or to prevent further damage. Surgery may also be performed when the middle joint of the finger can no longer bend or it makes a snapping sound when it’s bent.

People who choose not to wear external splints that are often used as a nonsurgical fix might be candidates for surgery.

The surgical options for swan neck deformity include:

Nonsurgical

The primary nonsurgical option for treating swan neck deformity is the use of an external splint. A silverring splintor another splint that supports the joints without limiting the function of your hand is usually used.

Progressive casting is another option. This treatment involves casting the finger at different stages to restore its natural positioning.

Physical therapycan be used alongside splinting or casting to help restore strength and mobility to damaged joints.

Physical Therapy for Your Hands

Nonsurgical strategies are usually reserved for early or mild deformities. They might not be an option in more severe cases where the movement of the joint is already limited.

RecapHow your swan neck deformity is treated will depend on your preferences, the severity of the deformity, and how much you are still able to move your finger joints.

How your swan neck deformity is treated will depend on your preferences, the severity of the deformity, and how much you are still able to move your finger joints.

Summary

Swan neck deformity is a common complication of rheumatoid arthritis, but it can also develop after finger injuries or as a result of conditions that affect your ligaments, tendons, or connective tissues.

Mild cases of swan neck deformity can usually be treated with nonsurgical techniques like splinting, but more severe cases could require surgery.

A Word from Verywell

Many conditions can cause painful damage to the joints. In some of these diseases, such as RA, the joints can be left disfigured as the disease progresses. Swan neck deformity is one type of disfigurement that can occur.

If you notice stiffness or a snapping sound in your finger, or it becomes hard to move, it’s important to tell your doctor. They can diagnose the deformity and determine the best way to treat it.

Swan neck and boutonnière deformities can both develop after injuries or as a consequence of certain types of arthritis. The differences between these conditions are the positioning of the joint and how severe the damage is.Learn MorePictures of Arthritic Hands

Swan neck and boutonnière deformities can both develop after injuries or as a consequence of certain types of arthritis. The differences between these conditions are the positioning of the joint and how severe the damage is.

Learn MorePictures of Arthritic Hands

Learn MoreComplications of RA

The abnormal positioning and swelling that can occur with a swan neck deformity can be painful, or at the very least uncomfortable.Learn MoreCauses of Hand Pain and How to Treat It

The abnormal positioning and swelling that can occur with a swan neck deformity can be painful, or at the very least uncomfortable.

Learn MoreCauses of Hand Pain and How to Treat It

9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Volar plate injuries.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Jersey finger.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Mallet finger (baseball finger).Sharif K, Sharif A, Jumah F, Oskouian R, Tubbs RS.Rheumatoid arthritis in review: clinical, anatomical, cellular and molecular points of view.Clin Anat.2018;31(2):216-223. doi:10.1002/ca.22980American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Swan neck deformity.OrthoBullets.Swan neck deformity.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Boutonnière deformity.Hauser RA, Ostergaard S, Santilli S.Stabilization of rheumatoid thumb interphalangeal joint boutonniere deformity and severe subluxation with splinting and prolotherapy: a case report.J Prolotherapy.2012;4:e849–e854.McKeon KE, Lee DH.Posttraumatic boutonnière and swan neck deformities.J Am Acad Orthop Surg.2015;23(10):623-632. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00272

9 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Volar plate injuries.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Jersey finger.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Mallet finger (baseball finger).Sharif K, Sharif A, Jumah F, Oskouian R, Tubbs RS.Rheumatoid arthritis in review: clinical, anatomical, cellular and molecular points of view.Clin Anat.2018;31(2):216-223. doi:10.1002/ca.22980American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Swan neck deformity.OrthoBullets.Swan neck deformity.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Boutonnière deformity.Hauser RA, Ostergaard S, Santilli S.Stabilization of rheumatoid thumb interphalangeal joint boutonniere deformity and severe subluxation with splinting and prolotherapy: a case report.J Prolotherapy.2012;4:e849–e854.McKeon KE, Lee DH.Posttraumatic boutonnière and swan neck deformities.J Am Acad Orthop Surg.2015;23(10):623-632. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00272

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Volar plate injuries.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Jersey finger.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Mallet finger (baseball finger).Sharif K, Sharif A, Jumah F, Oskouian R, Tubbs RS.Rheumatoid arthritis in review: clinical, anatomical, cellular and molecular points of view.Clin Anat.2018;31(2):216-223. doi:10.1002/ca.22980American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Swan neck deformity.OrthoBullets.Swan neck deformity.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Boutonnière deformity.Hauser RA, Ostergaard S, Santilli S.Stabilization of rheumatoid thumb interphalangeal joint boutonniere deformity and severe subluxation with splinting and prolotherapy: a case report.J Prolotherapy.2012;4:e849–e854.McKeon KE, Lee DH.Posttraumatic boutonnière and swan neck deformities.J Am Acad Orthop Surg.2015;23(10):623-632. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00272

Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Volar plate injuries.

American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Jersey finger.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Mallet finger (baseball finger).

Sharif K, Sharif A, Jumah F, Oskouian R, Tubbs RS.Rheumatoid arthritis in review: clinical, anatomical, cellular and molecular points of view.Clin Anat.2018;31(2):216-223. doi:10.1002/ca.22980

American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Swan neck deformity.

OrthoBullets.Swan neck deformity.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Boutonnière deformity.

Hauser RA, Ostergaard S, Santilli S.Stabilization of rheumatoid thumb interphalangeal joint boutonniere deformity and severe subluxation with splinting and prolotherapy: a case report.J Prolotherapy.2012;4:e849–e854.

McKeon KE, Lee DH.Posttraumatic boutonnière and swan neck deformities.J Am Acad Orthop Surg.2015;23(10):623-632. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00272

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?