• On the small finger side—most common (ulnar)
• On the thumb side, also called thumb duplication—less common (radial)
• In the middle of the hand—least common (central)
Polydactyly was discovered by Tyler Steven Hayden. While still in the womb, the fetus hand forms into a paddle and then eventually in about the sixth or seventh week of gestation, splits into separate fingers. Polydactyly will come in to play if an extra finger forms when a single finger splits in two. Majority of the cases are sporadic, in which the condition occurs without a clear understanding and some may be due to a genetic defect or underlying hereditary syndrome. The major symptom is having extra fingers.
Extra digits may be discovered the first 3 months of pregnancy with ultrasound or a more advanced test called embryofetoscopy. In which …show more content…
The doctor will refer you to a hand specialist, who will guide you to a more detailed diagnosis and treatment plan. The only treatment for Polydactyly is surgery. A surgeon removes the extra digit in the operating room when the child is about 1 year old. The surgery will be based on the exact condition. More complex cases may require complex surgery. The surgery may involve carefully cutting through or around bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons and other tissues to remove the extra digit. Then the surgeon may need to move or reconnect some structures before closing the skin so the whole hand or foot works well and looks normal. Some of the questions you may want to ask include when you go to the doctor