Polydactyly

About Polydactyly

About one in 500–1,000 babies are born with a condition called polydactyly, meaning they have extra fingers or toes. Our Doctors at the Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic, in Mill Creek, Washington can remove extra toes to restore normal foot structure. Schedule a polydactyly evaluation at Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.

Polydactyly Q&A

What is polydactyly?

Polydactyly is a condition in which a baby has extra toes or fingers. It’s relatively common and can affect one or both limbs. Polydactyly occurs due to genetic factors that influence limb development during fetal growth.

The three main types of polydactyly are:

• Extra digit on the inside of the limb (preaxial)
• Extra digit in the middle of the limb (central — least common)
• Extra digit on the outside of the limb (postaxial)

Polydactyly most commonly appears on the left foot and may be found on one or both feet.

What are the risk factors for polydactyly?

Polydactyly risk factors include:

• Genetic disruptions or mutations
• Inherited genetic disorders
• Environmental factors during pregnancy
• Short-rib polydactyly syndrome
• Carpenter syndrome
• Pallister- Our doctors syndrome

Polydactyly is often inherited as a dominant trait. If one parent carries the genetic code for the condition, there is roughly a 50% chance that their child will also have polydactyly.

How is polydactyly diagnosed by a podiatrist?

The Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic team diagnoses polydactyly after examining your or your child’s feet for extra digits. They review your personal and family medical histories, discuss any symptoms, and may order X-rays or other imaging procedures to determine how best to treat the condition.

How is an extra toe removed?

Personalized polydactyly treatment plans depend on the specific type of polydactyly. The Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic experts can surgically remove any extra digits on the feet. Extra digits on the side of the foot are often removed before age two, while digits in the middle of the foot may require a more complex surgical approach.

Common surgical procedures for digit removal include:

• Surgical ligature: tying a band or string around an extra digit to cut off blood supply
• Cauterization: using an electric current to remove extra digits
• Surgical excision: precise removal using surgical instruments

Your foot and ankle specialist will discuss all available options with you to determine the approach that offers the best functional and cosmetic outcome.

Is polydactyly preventable?

Genetic factors causing polydactyly are not preventable, but some cases linked to environmental influences may be. To reduce the risk of polydactyly or other developmental issues, expecting mothers should avoid smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs, and limit exposure to environmental toxins during pregnancy.

Schedule a polydactyly evaluation at Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic by calling the office or requesting one online today.