Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) Practice Exam

What are the chief symptoms of Maffucci's syndrome?

1. Weakness and atrophy of muscles

2. Stiffness and deformity affecting the hands

3. Loss of sensation and numbness

4. Pain and swelling in the joints

The correct answer is: Stiffness and deformity affecting the hands

Maffucci's syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the presence of multiple enchondromas (benign cartilage tumors) and hemangiomas (abnormal blood vessel growths). The chief symptoms of this syndrome often include deformities, particularly in the hands, due to the growth of these tumors. Patients frequently experience stiffness in the fingers and joints, which can lead to the development of hand deformities over time. This is a direct consequence of the tumors affecting the underlying bone structure and surrounding soft tissues, leading to the weakening of the joints and altered hand function. Thus, the option highlighting stiffness and deformity affecting the hands accurately captures the hallmark features of Maffucci's syndrome.