OBSOLETE: Central polydactyly of toes, unilateral

Central polydactyly of toes, unilateral, is a rare congenital condition where a person is born with one or more extra toes in the central part of one foot. The term "central" means the extra toe or toes appear among the middle toes (typically the second, third, or fourth toe area), rather than on the outer edge of the foot. "Unilateral" means it affects only one foot. This condition is present at birth and is usually noticed right away. It is important to note that this specific Orphanet entry (295183) is labeled as "OBSOLETE," meaning it has been retired or merged into a broader classification of polydactyly conditions. Patients with this finding may now be classified under more general categories of central polydactyly or preaxial/postaxial polydactyly of the foot. The extra toe may be fully formed with bones, joints, and a nail, or it may be a smaller, less developed digit. In many cases, the extra toe does not cause pain but can make it difficult to find comfortable shoes and may affect walking. Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the extra toe, usually performed in early childhood. The surgery aims to create a foot that functions well and looks as typical as possible. Outcomes after surgery are generally very good, and most children go on to walk and run normally.

Bring these to your next appointment

• Q1.Is my child's extra toe an isolated finding, or could it be part of a genetic syndrome?,What is the best age for surgical correction in my child's case?,What does the bone structure of the extra toe look like on X-ray, and how does that affect the surgical plan?,What are the risks and expected outcomes of the surgery?,Will my child need any follow-up surgeries as they grow?,Should we see a geneticist or have genetic testing done?,What is the chance that future children could also have polydactyly?

Common questions about OBSOLETE: Central polydactyly of toes, unilateral