Polydactyly (pronounced pah-lee-DAK-tuh-lee) is a condition where a child is born with extra fingers or toes. It forms during early pregnancy, while the baby is still developing in the womb.
While polydactyly usually doesn’t cause pain, treatment may help improve function and appearance. At Banner Children’s, our pediatric orthopedic specialists can diagnose and treat polydactyly to support your child’s healthy growth and development.
Polydactyly is the most common type of congenital (present at birth) hand difference. It affects about one in every 500 to 1,000 babies.
The word polydactyly comes from Greek and means “many fingers.” It may also be called hyperdactyly.
Most people are born with 10 fingers and 10 toes. A child with polydactyly may have 11 or more. The extra digit can vary in size and development.
Types of polydactyly
There are three main types of polydactyly, based on where the extra digit is:
Polydactyly happens when something changes the way a baby’s hands or feet form while they are growing in the womb. During early pregnancy, the baby’s hands and feet are small, flat shapes, like paddles. Over time, these paddles slowly split into separate fingers and toes.
If this process continues a little longer than usual, one of the fingers or toes may split again, forming an extra finger or toe.
There are a few main reasons why this may occur:
Polydactyly is usually not caused by anything you did or didn’t do during pregnancy. It’s a natural part of the body’s development.
The main sign of polydactyly is one or more extra fingers or toes. These digits may:
Polydactyly may affect one or both hands or feet. Most often, the extra digit appears next to the pinky or little toe. Less often, it forms next to the thumb or big toe, or in the middle of the hand or foot.
Most children with polydactyly don’t feel pain. However, the extra digit may:
A child can be born with both conditions, but they are different.
Polydactyly means a child has extra fingers or toes. Syndactyly means two or more fingers or toes are fused together by skin or bone.
Some children may have both conditions. Either can affect how the hand or foot looks and functions.
Most cases of polydactyly are found at birth. In some cases, it may be diagnosed earlier during a prenatal ultrasound.
To learn more about your child’s condition, a provider may recommend:
Treatment depends on how the extra digit is formed and where it’s located. A pediatric hand surgeon or orthopedic surgeon can help guide your child’s care.
If the extra digit is very small and doesn’t cause problems, your provider may recommend monitoring it over time. Sometimes it stays as a harmless bump or may fall off on its own.
Most children with polydactyly need surgery to remove the extra finger or toe. Surgery is usually done between ages 1 and 2, when bones and tissues are more developed and healing is easier.
During surgery, your child’s surgeon will:
Your child may also need physical therapy after surgery to support movement and build strength.
In some newborns, especially when the extra digit is soft and on the pinky side of the hand, the surgeon may tie a small band around the base. This cuts off blood flow, and the digit falls off in a few weeks. This is only done when there is no bone in the digit.
Another option is to remove the extra digit surgically. It is safer for babies to undergo anesthesia when they are a year old or more, but many surgeons will do this surgery when the baby is younger as well.
Do not try to remove the digit at home. This can be dangerous and cause serious harm.
Most children recover well after treatment. Your child may have a small scar, but they'll usually regain full use of their hand or foot as they grow.
Your child may also need:
Most children do well after treatment. Because surgery is usually done early, kids typically learn to use their hands and walk without any issues. They can play, write and do everyday activities like other children.
Call your child’s health care provider if:
At Banner Children’s, we treat polydactyly with expertise, compassion and a focus on your child’s future. Our team has extensive experience managing all types of congenital hand and foot differences.
We offer:
Many families have faced this same challenge - and you don’t have to go through it alone. With the right care, your child can grow strong, confident and healthy. We’re here to support you with answers, options and expert care.
Find a Banner Children's specialist near you and schedule an appointment today.
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