How is polydactyly treated?
The most common treatment for polydactyly is removing the extra finger. This typically occurs when a child is between 1 and 2 years old. At this age, children are young enough not to miss developmental milestones, such as grasping for objects, but old enough to better tolerate anesthesia and surgery.
The method used to remove an extra finger depends on the location and size of the finger:
- Removing an extra little finger can be fairly simple if the extra finger is connected to the rest of the hand by only a small skin bridge. The extra digit is clipped or tied right where it joins the hand, and it will then shrivel and fall off over a period of about two weeks, similar to how the umbilical cord is clipped at birth.
- If the extra finger is more fully developed, your child may benefit from a surgery to remove the extra finger. This is typically done when a child is between 1 and 2 years old. This surgery can range from a simple procedure to remove the extra little finger to more complex procedures (for thumbs and central fingers). Sometimes more than one surgery is needed.
After surgery, your child may wear a bulky bandage or cast for a few weeks and have physical or occupational therapy to help with scarring, stiffness, and swelling. They may have follow-up visits to check on how their hand is healing and moving.
What is the long-term outlook for polydactyly?
Most patients treated for polydactyly recover full hand function and improved appearance of their hand.
Your child may need to be followed for several months or years to:
- ensure that their hand is healing well
- check that they are regaining full function of their hand
- determine whether additional surgery would further improve the function or appearance of the hand as your child grows
How we care for polydactyly at Boston Children’s Hospital
The Orthopedic Center’s Hand and Orthopedic Upper Extremity Program and our Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery’s Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery Program have treated thousands of babies and children with polydactyly and other hand problems. We are experienced treating conditions that range from routine to highly complex, and can provide your child with expert diagnosis, treatment, and care. We also offer the benefits of some of the most advanced clinical and scientific research in the world.
Our Orthopedic Center is nationally known as the preeminent center for the care of children and young adults with a wide range of developmental, congenital, neuromuscular, sports related, traumatic, and post-traumatic problems of the musculoskeletal system.
Our Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery is one of the largest and most experienced pediatric plastic and oral surgery centers anywhere in the world. We provide comprehensive care and treatment for a wide variety of congenital and acquired conditions, including hand deformities.
