Congenital Hand and Upper Extremity Deformities Treatment Cost in Germany

The cost of Congenital Hand and Upper Extremity Deformities treatment in Germany typically ranges from $2,500 to $22,000 USD, depending on the hospital, city, and type of procedure.

Congenital hand and upper limb differences are differences in the hand or arm present at birth. Many children adapt well, and treatment is planned around function. In Germany, the total depends on:

• Type of difference: for example joined, extra or missing fingers.
• Therapy: hand therapy and occupational therapy.
• Surgery: separating or removing fingers, or reconstruction.
• Devices: assistive devices or prosthetics.

OrthoInfo, from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, reports that congenital hand differences affect about 2 in 1,000 babies, slightly more often boys, and form four to eight weeks after conception. Syndactyly (joined fingers) is the most common, followed by conditions such as polydactyly (extra fingers).

Other types include radial deficiency, which can come with heart, kidney or blood differences, an underdeveloped thumb, a missing part of the arm below the elbow and amniotic band syndrome. X-rays and sometimes genetic tests are used.

Great Ormond Street Hospital's congenital hand and limb service treats children of all ages, with hand surgeons, hand therapists and specialist nurses providing assessment, surgery, therapy and follow-up.

Treatment may include therapy, assistive devices, prosthetics or surgery to separate fingers, remove extra fingers or reconstruct the hand. Many children adapt well, sometimes without any treatment.

Hand surgery for children is often done in stages as they grow, and each operation has its own estimate. International patients are usually treated in Germany as self-paying patients: the hospital reviews the medical reports, sends a cost estimate and asks for an advance payment before admission, then settles the final bill after discharge.

Families who need a visa for a child's treatment should allow time to gather the hospital letter, cost estimate and proof of advance payment that German missions ask for.