Overview
Postaxial polydactyly of the toes is a condition where a baby is born with one or more extra toes on the outer side (the side of the little toe) of one or both feet. The term 'postaxial' means the extra digit is located on the pinky-toe side of the foot, as opposed to the big-toe side. This is a congenital condition, meaning it is present at birth. The extra toe may be fully formed with bones and joints, or it may be a small, soft nub of tissue attached by a thin stalk of skin. It is important to note that this specific Orphanet entry (295008) is labeled as 'OBSOLETE,' which means it has been retired or merged into a broader classification of polydactyly. Patients and families looking for information should search under the more general terms 'postaxial polydactyly' or 'polydactyly' for the most up-to-date medical guidance. Postaxial polydactyly is one of the most common congenital limb differences. It can occur as an isolated finding (meaning the extra toe is the only unusual feature) or as part of a broader genetic syndrome. When it occurs on its own, it is usually a benign condition that does not affect overall health. Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the extra toe, often performed in infancy or early childhood. For small, rudimentary extra digits connected only by skin, a simple procedure such as suture ligation (tying off the base) may be used. For more complex extra toes with bone involvement, a more detailed surgical procedure is needed to ensure proper foot function and appearance. The outlook is generally excellent, and most children go on to walk and run normally after treatment.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Extra toe on the outer side of the footSmall skin tag or nub near the little toeFully formed extra toe with bone and nailExtra toe on one or both feetWider-than-normal forefootDifficulty fitting into standard shoes if untreated
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: Postaxial polydactyly of toes.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Postaxial polydactyly of toes.
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: Postaxial polydactyly of toes.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
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Social Security Disability
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Does my child's extra toe contain bone, or is it only soft tissue?,What type of surgery do you recommend, and at what age?,Could this be part of a genetic syndrome, and should we see a geneticist?,What is the risk of this happening again in future pregnancies?,What should I watch for after surgery during recovery?,Will my child need any follow-up care as they grow?,Are there any long-term effects on walking or foot function?
Common questions about OBSOLETE: Postaxial polydactyly of toes
What is OBSOLETE: Postaxial polydactyly of toes?
Postaxial polydactyly of the toes is a condition where a baby is born with one or more extra toes on the outer side (the side of the little toe) of one or both feet. The term 'postaxial' means the extra digit is located on the pinky-toe side of the foot, as opposed to the big-toe side. This is a congenital condition, meaning it is present at birth. The extra toe may be fully formed with bones and joints, or it may be a small, soft nub of tissue attached by a thin stalk of skin. It is important to note that this specific Orphanet entry (295008) is labeled as 'OBSOLETE,' which means it has been
At what age does OBSOLETE: Postaxial polydactyly of toes typically begin?
Typical onset of OBSOLETE: Postaxial polydactyly of toes is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.