Overview
Preaxial polydactyly of toes, bilateral, is a condition present at birth where a baby has extra toes on both feet, specifically on the inner side of the foot (near the big toe). The term 'preaxial' means the extra digit appears on the thumb or big-toe side, as opposed to the pinky side. 'Bilateral' means it affects both feet. This condition is classified as 'obsolete' in the Orphanet database, meaning it has been retired as a standalone diagnosis and may now be grouped under a broader category of preaxial polydactyly or limb malformations. Extra toes can vary in complexity — some may be small, soft tissue nubs, while others may contain bone and be fully formed. The condition is usually noticed immediately at birth during a routine newborn examination. Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the extra toe(s) to improve foot function and allow comfortable shoe-wearing. The surgery is usually performed in early childhood. In many cases, this is an isolated finding, but sometimes it can be part of a broader genetic syndrome. A thorough evaluation by a geneticist is recommended to rule out associated conditions. Most children who undergo corrective surgery go on to have normal foot function and lead fully active lives.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Extra toe(s) on the big-toe side of both feetWider-than-normal forefootDifficulty fitting into shoesPossible abnormal toe alignmentDuplicated big toe or a toe next to the big toePossible limited movement in the extra toeCosmetic difference in foot appearance
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 toes, bilateral.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Preaxial polydactyly of toes, bilateral.
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 toes, bilateral.
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.Is my child's extra toes an isolated finding, or could it be part of a genetic syndrome?,Should we pursue genetic testing, and if so, what kind?,What is the best age for surgical correction?,What are the risks of surgery, and what outcomes can we expect?,Will my child have normal foot function after surgery?,What is the chance that future children could also have extra toes?,Are there any other tests or evaluations my child should have?
Common questions about OBSOLETE: Preaxial polydactyly of toes, bilateral
What is OBSOLETE: Preaxial polydactyly of toes, bilateral?
Preaxial polydactyly of toes, bilateral, is a condition present at birth where a baby has extra toes on both feet, specifically on the inner side of the foot (near the big toe). The term 'preaxial' means the extra digit appears on the thumb or big-toe side, as opposed to the pinky side. 'Bilateral' means it affects both feet. This condition is classified as 'obsolete' in the Orphanet database, meaning it has been retired as a standalone diagnosis and may now be grouped under a broader category of preaxial polydactyly or limb malformations. Extra toes can vary in complexity — some may be small,
At what age does OBSOLETE: Preaxial polydactyly of toes, bilateral typically begin?
Typical onset of OBSOLETE: Preaxial polydactyly of toes, bilateral is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.