Extra Digits

Extra Digits

Also known as Polydactyly, extra digits are the most common congenital digital anomaly of the hand and foot. It may appear in isolation or in association with other birth defects. Isolated polydactyly is often autosomal dominant or occasionally random, while syndromic polydactyly is commonly autosomal recessive.

The condition is usually asymptomatic, but can sometimes lead to a painful lesion between the toes, or in the below case, a painful deformed nail was the result. After 40 years of discomfort, the patient finally elected to remove the nail. Eventually we will remodel toe to prevent pain from occurring in between the great toe and the 2nd toe. The "Webbed" toes that are seen are non symptomatic and I usually advise not surgically correcting if pain is not present.