Claw Hand Correction Cost in India | Tendon Transfer

Q: Can claw hand be reversed?

Claw hand is often treatable. With treatment, your symptoms may improve or completely disappear, depending on the cause and severity of your condition.

Q: Which nerve is damaged in claw hand?

An ulnar claw, also known as claw hand, or 'spinster's claw' is a deformity or an abnormal attitude of the hand that develops due to ulnar nerve damage causing paralysis of the lumbricals.

Q: What are the signs of nerve damage in your hands?

Other symptoms of nerve damage to the hands include: weakness. numbness. stabbing or jabbing pain. tingling. sensitivity to touch. loss of coordination and balance, which can leading to falling. muscle weakness and paralysis of motor nerves.

Q: How long does nerve damage in hand take to heal?

If your nerve is bruised or traumatized but is not cut, it should recover over 6-12 weeks. A nerve that is cut will grow at 1mm per day, after about a 4 week period of 'rest' following your injury.

Q: How long does it take to recover from surgery?

Postoperative and Rehabilitation Care Passive exercises are started at 6 weeks and strengthening at 8 weeks for the adductorplasty and 10 to 12 weeks for the intrinsic tendon transfers.

Claw Hand Correction Package

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Claw Hand Correction Surgery Cost in India

Surgery Name	Cost	Room	Hospitalization
Claw Hand Correction Package	$4500	Single	Patient - 2 days stay in a single room.

✓ Inclusion

✔Consultation with a senior hand / plastic reconstructive surgeon
✔Routine pre-operative blood tests and ECG
✔Regional nerve block with sedation or general anaesthesia
✔Tendon transfer surgery for claw hand correction on one hand
✔Surgeon, assistant and anaesthetist fees
✔Operation theatre and routine consumables
✔2 days stay in a single room with nursing care
✔Standard medicines and diet during the stay
✔Post-operative plaster or thermoplastic splint
✔Wound check and first hand therapy instruction
✔Free: airport pick-up & drop, visa invitation letter, interpreter & coordinator (Satyug Healthcare)

✗ Exclusion

✖Nerve conduction study, EMG, MRI or ultrasound if required
✖Additional procedures: thumb opposition transfer, nerve repair, tendon graft, joint release
✖Surgery on the second hand
✖Outpatient hand therapy sessions after discharge
✖Custom night splints and dynamic splints
✖Extra hospital days beyond 2 days
✖Treatment of complications or unrelated illness
✖Medicines and dressings after discharge
✖Flights, visa fees, hotel, food and local travel

Know More About Procedure & Surgery

🇮🇳 HAND SURGERY PACKAGE — INDIA

Claw Hand Correction Surgery in India

Tendon transfer and reconstructive surgery for claw hand caused by ulnar or median nerve injury, leprosy, burns or nerve disease, done by experienced hand and reconstructive surgeons in India – at a fraction of the cost abroad.

✅ Free Medical Opinion in 48–72 h✋ Tendon Transfer Specialists💰 Starting USD 4,500✈️ Visa & Airport Support🗣️ Interpreter Available

⏱️

2–3 hrs

Surgery time

🏥

2 days

Single room stay

📈

80–90%

Good function gain

📅

3–4 weeks

Total stay in India

📖 What is Claw Hand Correction Surgery?

Claw hand is a deformity where the knuckles at the base of the fingers bend backwards and the middle finger joints curl inwards, so the hand looks like a claw. It usually happens when the ulnar nerve (and sometimes the median nerve) is damaged. These nerves control the small 'intrinsic' muscles inside the hand. When they become weak, the long finger tendons pull unevenly, and the person loses grip strength, pinch and the ability to open the hand fully.

Claw hand correction is reconstructive surgery that rebalances the fingers. Most often a healthy, working tendon (for example from the forearm or wrist) is re-routed to do the job of the weak muscles – this is called a tendon transfer (such as the Zancolli lasso, Brand or Stiles-Bunnell procedure). In some patients, joint tightening (capsulodesis), release of stiff joints or nerve repair is added. The aim is a straighter hand, better grip and easier daily tasks.

🖼️ Understand It in Pictures

💡 In simple words

In claw hand, the fingers bend like a claw because hand muscles are weak, usually after nerve damage (injury or leprosy). Surgery moves a healthy tendon to do the work of the weak muscles, so the fingers can straighten and grip better.

Straight vs clawed finger

Claw Hand Correction: normal vs abnormal explained in pictures

👀 Symptoms in Pictures

Symptoms that may need Claw Hand Correction - in pictures

🎬 The Treatment Journey in Pictures

Claw Hand Correction step by step in pictures

📅 Recovery at a Glance

Recovery timeline after Claw Hand Correction

🩺 Conditions Treated

⚡

Ulnar nerve injury or palsy

Cuts, fractures or compression at the elbow or wrist causing ring and little finger clawing.

✋

Combined ulnar and median nerve palsy

All four fingers claw and thumb movement is weak.

🩹

Leprosy (Hansen's disease) hand

Nerve damage from leprosy, a common cause of claw hand worldwide; treated after infection is cured.

🔥

Burn contractures

Scar tightening on the back of the hand that pulls the fingers into a claw.

🧬

Nerve disease (e.g. CMT)

Inherited or other neuropathies that weaken the hand muscles.

🦴

Volkmann's contracture / old injuries

Muscle damage after forearm injury causing finger clawing and stiffness.

⚠️ Signs That May Need Claw Hand Correction

➤Ring and little fingers curl and will not straighten
➤Knuckles bend backwards
➤Weak grip and difficulty holding objects
➤Weak pinch between thumb and finger

➤Thinning of the hand muscles
➤Numbness on the little-finger side of the hand
➤Difficulty writing, buttoning or eating
➤Fingers catch when putting the hand in a pocket

💡 Early nerve problems may recover without tendon surgery. If the nerve injury is recent (under 6–12 months), nerve repair, nerve decompression or nerve transfer may be tried first, together with splints and hand therapy. Tendon transfer is advised when nerve recovery is not expected, the joints are still flexible, and the patient can join a hand therapy programme.

🔬 Tests Before Treatment

Test	Why it is done
Hand surgeon examination	Checks which muscles are weak, which tendons are strong enough to transfer and joint flexibility.
Nerve conduction study / EMG	Shows the level and severity of nerve damage and whether recovery is possible.
X-ray of the hand and wrist	Checks for old fractures, joint damage or stiffness.
Ultrasound or MRI of the nerve	Done when a nerve injury or compression needs to be located.
Blood tests and sugar	Routine fitness checks before anaesthesia; diabetes control helps healing.
Leprosy treatment review	For leprosy patients, confirms multidrug therapy is complete and nerves are stable.

🏥 The Procedure — Step by Step

Consultation and planning

The hand surgeon examines the hand, reviews nerve tests and chooses the tendon transfer.

Pre-operative therapy

If joints are stiff, a short course of splinting and exercises is done to make them flexible.

Anaesthesia

A nerve block (regional anaesthesia) numbs the arm, often with sedation or general anaesthesia.

Harvesting the donor tendon

A healthy tendon, such as flexor digitorum superficialis or a wrist tendon, is detached through a small cut.

Re-routing

The tendon is split into slips and passed through tunnels in the palm to each finger.

Attachment and tensioning

Each slip is attached to the finger at the correct tension to hold the knuckles bent and fingers straight.

Extra procedures

Joint release, capsulodesis or thumb (opponens) transfer are added if needed.

Closure and plaster

The wounds are closed and the hand is placed in a protective plaster or splint.

Hospital stay

Hand elevation, pain control and first checks over about 2 days.

Hand therapy

After 3–4 weeks the plaster is removed and supervised therapy retrains the transferred tendon.

⚖️ Types & Techniques

Technique	What is done	Best for
Zancolli lasso procedure	FDS tendon looped around the pulley to bend the knuckle	Ulnar nerve claw with flexible fingers
Stiles-Bunnell transfer	FDS tendon slips attached to the finger extensor apparatus	Clawing with good finger flexor strength
Brand (ECRB) transfer with graft	Wrist tendon extended with a graft to the fingers	Combined palsy and leprosy hands, improves grip strength
Zancolli capsulodesis	The front of the knuckle joint capsule is tightened	Mild clawing or when no tendon is available
Nerve repair / nerve transfer	Damaged nerve repaired or a working nerve branch joined to it	Recent nerve injuries, ideally within 6–12 months

📊 Clinical series of tendon transfers for ulnar and leprosy claw hand report good or excellent correction of clawing in about 80–90% of hands, with better grip and hand function when combined with structured hand therapy (NCBI StatPearls: Ulnar Nerve Palsy / Tendon Transfers).

📅 Your Day-by-Day Plan in India

Day	What happens
Day 1	Arrival in India ✈️, airport pick-up and hotel check-in
Day 2	Hand surgeon consultation, nerve study review and pre-operative tests
Day 3	Admission and claw hand correction surgery ✋
Day 4	Elevation, pain control, wound check; discharge (2 days in hospital)
Day 5–17	Rest at hotel with hand in splint; dressing checks every few days; stitch removal around day 14
Day 18–26	Splint or plaster removed; daily hand therapy sessions to retrain the tendon
Day 27	Final surgeon review, home exercise programme and night splint fitted
Day 28	Fly home ✈️

🌱 Recovery After Treatment

🩹

Week 0–3

Hand stays in a plaster or splint, raised above the heart to reduce swelling.

🧑‍⚕️

Week 3–4

Splint removed; therapist teaches you to use the new tendon to bend the knuckles.

✍️

Week 4–6

Light use for eating, writing and dressing; night splint continued.

💪

Week 6–8

Gentle strengthening; grip and pinch improve week by week.

🏠

Week 8–12

Return to most daily activities and light work.

✅

3–6 months

Full strength of the transfer; heavy work allowed when cleared by the surgeon.

🏆 Success Rate

Outcome	Result
Good or excellent correction of clawing	About 80–90% of hands
Improvement in grip and daily function	Most patients
Recurrence or under-correction	About 5–15%
Time to good everyday function	About 2–3 months
Hospital stay in this package	2 days in a single room

Results are best when the finger joints are flexible before surgery, the donor tendon is strong, the transfer is tensioned correctly and the patient follows hand therapy for at least 6–8 weeks.

🩹 Risks & Possible Complications

Tendon transfer surgery is generally safe; most problems are mild and treatable.

•Swelling and stiffness of the fingers – common at first, improves with therapy
•Under-correction or return of clawing – about 5–15%
•Over-correction (swan-neck deformity) – uncommon, about 2–5%
•Adhesion (sticking) of the tendon – may need therapy or minor release surgery
•Rupture or loosening of the transfer – rare, usually from early heavy use
•Wound infection – about 1–2%
•Tender scars or numbness near the cuts

💰 Cost of Claw Hand Correction in India

The cost of claw hand correction surgery in India starts from about USD 4,500. This covers the hand surgeon and anaesthetist fees, operation theatre, routine consumables, splint, medicines and 2 days in a single room. Costs vary if both hands are treated, if thumb (opponens) transfer, nerve repair or tendon graft is added, and with the number of hand therapy sessions.

Option / Hospital tier	Approx. cost (USD)	Hospital stay	Notes
Claw hand correction, one hand (this package)	4,500	2 days, single room	Tendon transfer for ulnar claw hand
Claw hand + thumb opposition transfer	5,500 – 6,500	2–3 days	Combined ulnar and median nerve palsy
Nerve repair / nerve transfer	4,000 – 6,000	2–3 days	Recent nerve injury, microsurgery
Hand therapy programme (3–4 weeks)	300 – 600	Outpatient	Daily supervised sessions and splints

⚠️ Final cost depends on the cause of the claw hand, one or both hands, the number of transfers, tendon grafts, joint release and therapy sessions needed. Quotes are confirmed after the specialist examines the patient in India.

Claw Hand Correction cost comparison India USA UK Turkey

📋 What the Package Includes

✅ Included

✔Hand surgeon and anaesthetist fees
✔Operation theatre charges
✔Tendon transfer surgery (one hand)
✔2 days in a single room
✔Splint or plaster
✔Routine medicines and nursing
✔Routine pre-operative tests
✔Free airport pick-up, visa letter & interpreter

❌ Not Included

✖Nerve conduction study / MRI if needed
✖Thumb transfer or nerve repair
✖Second hand surgery
✖Outpatient hand therapy sessions
✖Custom night splints after discharge
✖Extra hospital days
✖Medicines after discharge
✖Flights, hotel and food

✈️ Your Medical Travel Process with Satyug Healthcare

Medical travel journey to India for Claw Hand Correction

Step	Details
1. Send reports	Clear photos and a short video of the hand opening, closing and gripping, nerve conduction study / EMG report, hand X-ray, details of the injury or illness (date, previous surgery, leprosy treatment completed), and your general medical history.
2. Free opinion & quotes	Within 48-72 hours you receive opinions and cost estimates from 3-5 leading hospitals to compare.
3. Choose hospital & doctor	We help you compare doctors, success rates, room options and total budget.
4. Medical visa	The hospital issues a Visa Invitation Letter (VIL) to the Indian Embassy. The patient and up to 2 attendants apply for an e-Medical / Medical Attendant visa.
5. Travel planning	Flight guidance, wheelchair assistance, airport pick-up, hotel or guest house near the hospital.
6. Treatment in India	Your coordinator and interpreter stay with you for admission, treatment, discharge and billing.
7. Return & follow-up	Fit-to-fly letter, medicines, and online follow-up with your doctor after you return home.

🎒 Travel Checklist

📌Valid passport (6+ months) for the patient and attendants, plus 10 passport-size photos each
📌Medical visa / e-visa and the hospital’s Visa Invitation Letter
📌All nerve conduction / EMG reports, hand X-rays, photos and videos of the hand, and current prescriptions
📌Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory for travellers from African countries)
📌Polio vaccination certificate where applicable
📌Declare cash above USD 5,000 at the airport; hospitals accept wire transfer and cards
📌Foreigners staying longer than permitted must register with the FRRO — our team assists

⭐ Why Choose Satyug Healthcare?

🏥

Top Accredited Hospitals

Hand and reconstructive surgery departments at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital New Delhi, Max Super Speciality Hospital Saket, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurugram, Medanta – The Medicity, Artemis Hospital and Ganga Hospital Coimbatore (a leading hand surgery centre).

👨‍⚕️

Senior Specialists

Our partner surgeons are plastic, hand and reconstructive surgeons experienced in tendon transfers, nerve repair and leprosy hand reconstruction, working with certified hand therapists.

💵

Transparent Pricing

Multiple written quotes to compare — no hidden charges, no extra fee for our service.

🤝

End-to-End Support

Visa, airport pick-up, accommodation, interpreter and 24/7 coordinator.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

➤ How much does claw hand correction cost in India?

Claw hand correction in India starts from about USD 4,500 for one hand, including 2 days in a single room. Combined thumb transfer or nerve surgery costs about USD 5,500–6,500.

➤ How long does the surgery take?

Usually 2–3 hours, depending on the number of tendon transfers and extra procedures.

➤ How long do I need to stay in India?

About 3–4 weeks: 2 days in hospital, about 3 weeks in a splint, and the first week of hand therapy before you go home.

➤ How successful is claw hand surgery?

About 80–90% of patients get good correction of the claw and better grip. Results depend a lot on hand therapy after surgery.

➤ Is the surgery painful?

The arm is numbed and you may be asleep. Afterwards, pain is moderate for a few days and is controlled with tablets and keeping the hand raised.

➤ Will my hand be completely normal?

Surgery greatly improves the shape and use of the hand, but numbness from the nerve damage may remain and strength may not fully return to normal.

➤ When can I return to work?

Light or desk work after about 6–8 weeks; heavy manual work after about 3 months.

➤ Can leprosy patients have this surgery?

Yes. Surgery is done after multidrug therapy is complete and the nerves have been stable (no new weakness) for about 6–12 months.

➤ Is nerve repair an option instead?

For recent injuries (under about 6–12 months), nerve repair or nerve transfer may recover the muscles. For older injuries, tendon transfer is usually better.

➤ Can children have claw hand correction?

Yes. Children can have nerve repair or tendon transfers once they are old enough to cooperate with hand therapy.

➤ Do I need physiotherapy at home?

Yes. You will get a home exercise plan and should continue therapy with a local hand therapist for 2–3 months.

➤ Can a family member come with me?

Yes. One or two attendants can get a medical attendant visa with our hospital invitation letter.

➤ What should I send for a free opinion?

Photos and a short video of your hand opening and closing, nerve study reports, X-rays and details of the injury or illness.

➤ What follow-up is needed after I go home?

Online reviews with the surgeon at 6 weeks and 3 months, with photos or videos, and regular therapy with a local therapist.

💬 Get a Free Opinion & Cost Estimate

Send your medical reports today and receive opinions from India’s top specialists within 48-72 hours.

📞 +91-8860606766 | +91-9910655125 | ✉️ query@satyughealthcare.com

Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information and does not replace a consultation with a qualified specialist. Treatment plans and costs are confirmed only after the patient is examined. Sources: NCBI StatPearls: Ulnar Nerve Injury / Ulnar Claw Hand; NCBI StatPearls: Tendon Transfers; American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) patient information; WHO leprosy guidelines on prevention of disability; Cleveland Clinic: Claw Hand; Green's Operative Hand Surgery (tendon transfers). Infographics: Satyug Healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can claw hand be reversed?

Claw hand is often treatable. With treatment, your symptoms may improve or completely disappear, depending on the cause and severity of your condition.