Skip to content
knowrare
HealthSignal
Your condition community

Living with Crossed polysyndactyly

A rare inherited limb condition with extra fingers and toes arranged in a crossed pattern between hands and feet.

Understanding Crossed polysyndactyly

Crossed polysyndactyly is a rare inherited limb condition with extra fingers and toes in a crossed pattern, with no other differences.

People have extra digits on the thumb side of the hands and the little-toe side of the feet, or the reverse. Skin webbing between the first, second, and third toes is also common, and sometimes the fingers. It is noticed during pregnancy.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Extra little finger (polydactyly)
  • Joined fingers (syndactyly)
  • Extra digits on hands and feet in a crossed pattern
  • Webbed toes
  • Differences in fingerprints

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. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

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
Would genetic testing help our family?
What surgical options might help hand and foot function?
What is the chance that my children will have it?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant

GARD says changes in genes cause this condition. It is autosomal dominant, meaning one changed copy of the gene can be enough to cause it. GARD doesn't name a gene.

Genetic

Also known as: crossed polydactyly

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Crossed polysyndactylyGARD ID 1617 · 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 Crossed polysyndactyly.

Explore the Crossed polysyndactyly blog

Explore research for Crossed polysyndactyly

Explore actively recruiting Crossed polysyndactyly studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Crossed polysyndactyly with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper

I can help you find recruiting Crossed polysyndactyly studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.

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

Get Signals for Crossed polysyndactyly

Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.

HealthStoryfor Crossed polysyndactyly

Create a living journal that talks back

HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Crossed polysyndactyly experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.

Start your journal

Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.