Overview
Central polydactyly of fingers (unilateral) is a congenital condition present at birth in which a person has one or more extra fingers in the central part of the hand — typically involving the index, middle, or ring finger area — on only one hand. The term 'central polydactyly' distinguishes this from extra fingers on the thumb side (preaxial polydactyly) or the pinky side (postaxial polydactyly). This specific Orphanet entry (295171) is marked as OBSOLETE, meaning it has been retired or merged into a broader or updated classification of polydactyly. Patients previously classified under this code may now fall under more current categories of central polydactyly or limb malformations. The extra finger(s) may be fully formed with bones, joints, and tendons, or they may be smaller and less developed — sometimes appearing as a small nub of tissue. The condition can affect hand function and grip depending on the size and position of the extra digit. In many cases, the extra finger can be surgically removed during childhood to improve hand function and appearance. Treatment is primarily surgical, and outcomes are generally good, especially when performed by an experienced pediatric hand surgeon. Some cases of central polydactyly are associated with underlying genetic syndromes, so a thorough evaluation by a geneticist may be recommended to rule out other conditions.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Extra finger(s) in the central part of the handExtra digit on only one handThe extra finger may be fully formed or underdevelopedPossible difficulty gripping objectsUnusual hand appearancePossible webbing between the extra finger and neighboring fingersReduced hand dexterity on the affected sidePossible stiffness in nearby finger joints
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Central polydactyly of fingers, unilateral.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Central polydactyly of fingers, unilateral.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to OBSOLETE: Central polydactyly of fingers, unilateral.
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Caregiver Resources
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Does my child's extra finger contain bones and joints, or is it mostly soft tissue?,Is this an isolated finding, or could it be part of a genetic syndrome?,What is the best age for surgery, and what does the surgery involve?,What are the risks of surgery, and what outcomes can we expect for hand function?,Will my child need occupational therapy after surgery?,Should we see a geneticist for further evaluation or genetic testing?,Is there a chance this could occur in future children?
Common questions about OBSOLETE: Central polydactyly of fingers, unilateral
What is OBSOLETE: Central polydactyly of fingers, unilateral?
Central polydactyly of fingers (unilateral) is a congenital condition present at birth in which a person has one or more extra fingers in the central part of the hand — typically involving the index, middle, or ring finger area — on only one hand. The term 'central polydactyly' distinguishes this from extra fingers on the thumb side (preaxial polydactyly) or the pinky side (postaxial polydactyly). This specific Orphanet entry (295171) is marked as OBSOLETE, meaning it has been retired or merged into a broader or updated classification of polydactyly. Patients previously classified under this c
At what age does OBSOLETE: Central polydactyly of fingers, unilateral typically begin?
Typical onset of OBSOLETE: Central polydactyly of fingers, unilateral is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.