Polydactyly
A congenital difference in which a child is born with one or more additional digits.
Types of polydactyly
Extra digits can occur on the thumb side, little-finger side or centrally. Their structure ranges from a small soft-tissue appendage to a fully formed digit with bone, joints and tendons.
Why classification matters
The surgical problem is not simply removing an extra digit. In many cases the two digits share bone, ligaments, tendons, nails or neurovascular structures.
Assessment
Clinical examination and X-rays help define the anatomy and identify which structures should be preserved or reconstructed.
Treatment
Some simple soft-tissue forms can be treated with a minor procedure, while duplicated thumbs and complex patterns often require reconstruction of bone, tendons and ligaments.
Timing
Timing depends on the type of duplication, growth and functional goals. A paediatric hand surgeon plans treatment around developmental milestones and anatomy.
Long-term outcome
Good treatment aims for a stable, mobile and well-aligned digit. Growth can reveal residual deformity, so follow-up may continue through childhood.