Overview
Preaxial polydactyly of fingers is a congenital (present at birth) condition in which a person is born with one or more extra fingers on the thumb side (the inner side, also called the radial side) of the hand. The term 'preaxial' refers to the thumb side of the hand, as opposed to the pinky side. This condition can range from a small, poorly formed extra digit (sometimes just a skin tag or nub) to a fully formed extra thumb or finger with bones, joints, and tendons. It may affect one or both hands. This condition is sometimes also called thumb polydactyly, radial polydactyly, or extra thumb. It is one of the most common congenital hand differences seen in children. In some cases, preaxial polydactyly occurs on its own (isolated), while in other cases it may be part of a broader genetic syndrome that affects other parts of the body. Note: The Orphanet code 294939 for this entry is marked as 'OBSOLETE,' meaning the classification has been reorganized or merged into other entries in the Orphanet database. Patients and families should look for updated classifications under broader polydactyly categories. Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the extra digit, often performed in infancy or early childhood, with the goal of creating a hand that functions well and looks as typical as possible. Outcomes after surgery are generally very good, especially when performed by an experienced pediatric hand surgeon.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Extra finger or thumb on the thumb side of the handDuplicated thumb (most common form)Small skin tag or nub near the thumbFully formed extra digit with bones and a nailWider-than-normal thumbDifficulty gripping or pinching objectsUnusual appearance of the handPossible stiffness or limited movement in the affected fingersMay affect one or both hands
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: Preaxial polydactyly of fingers.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Preaxial polydactyly of fingers.
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: Preaxial polydactyly of fingers.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
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Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What type of thumb duplication does my child have, and how does that affect the surgical plan?,At what age do you recommend surgery, and what technique will you use?,What are the risks of surgery, and what outcomes can we expect?,Will my child need occupational therapy after surgery, and for how long?,Could this be part of a genetic syndrome, and should we consider genetic testing?,Is there a chance this could happen again in future pregnancies?,How will this affect my child's hand function in the long term?
Common questions about OBSOLETE: Preaxial polydactyly of fingers
What is OBSOLETE: Preaxial polydactyly of fingers?
Preaxial polydactyly of fingers is a congenital (present at birth) condition in which a person is born with one or more extra fingers on the thumb side (the inner side, also called the radial side) of the hand. The term 'preaxial' refers to the thumb side of the hand, as opposed to the pinky side. This condition can range from a small, poorly formed extra digit (sometimes just a skin tag or nub) to a fully formed extra thumb or finger with bones, joints, and tendons. It may affect one or both hands. This condition is sometimes also called thumb polydactyly, radial polydactyly, or extra thumb.
At what age does OBSOLETE: Preaxial polydactyly of fingers typically begin?
Typical onset of OBSOLETE: Preaxial polydactyly of fingers is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.