One of the many reasons I gave up playing years ago was I thought playing violin had broken my little fingers.  Seriously.  They're all bent and clicky.  The real reason for this is a clinodactyly - the middle bone of each little finger is slightly longer on the outside than the inside so the fingers curve inwards and it's really hard to use them.  It's not impossible though (I sympathise with the guy who talks about his fused wrist, that must be tough).

The reason I ask is that this week I am going to be starting some actual lessons and I was wondering if anyone knows of any tips before I start to minimize this problem so I don't look like a fool.  Maybe exercises to strengthen that particular finger?