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Living with Cenani-Lenz syndactyly syndrome

A condition present from birth with joined fingers and toes and differences in the arm and leg bones.

Understanding Cenani-Lenz syndactyly syndrome

Cenani-Lenz syndactyly syndrome is a condition present from birth with complex joining of the fingers (syndactyly) and differences in the forearm bones.

Similar differences occur in the legs and feet. It starts in the newborn and infant years.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Joined fingers (syndactyly)
  • Joined toes
  • Fused forearm bones (radioulnar synostosis)
  • Missing fingernails and toenails
  • Differently shaped hand bones
  • Prominent forehead (frontal bossing)

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include bone and joint specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in LRP4 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

Care & treatment

Care team
Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Can LRP4 genetic testing confirm the diagnosis?
Is surgery an option for the hands and feet?
Should the kidneys and other organs be checked?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesLRP4

Changes in the LRP4 gene cause this condition. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive way, so a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

Genetic

Also known as: cenani lenz syndactyly; cenani lenz syndrome; cenani syndactylism; cenani syndactyly; cenani-lenz syndactyly; cenani-lenz syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Cenani-Lenz syndactyly syndromeGARD ID 5084 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Cenani-Lenz syndactyly syndrome.

Explore the Cenani-Lenz syndactyly syndrome blog

Explore research for Cenani-Lenz syndactyly syndrome

Explore actively recruiting Cenani-Lenz syndactyly syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Cenani-Lenz syndactyly syndrome with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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