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Living with Mononen-Karnes-Senac syndrome

A rare bone condition with short thumbs and big toes, mild short stature, and mild bowing of the legs.

Understanding Mononen-Karnes-Senac syndrome

Mononen-Karnes-Senac syndrome is a rare bone growth condition that affects the fingers, toes, and legs.

Features include short fingers (brachydactyly) with short thumbs that angle away from the hand, short index fingers, and very short big toes. Some people also have mild short stature and mild bowlegs. GARD says it was described in two males, their mothers, and a maternal aunt, and that females are less severely affected than males. Signs are seen in the newborn period or infancy.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list a set of most common symptoms for this condition. Its summary describes these features:

  • Short fingers (brachydactyly)
  • Short, angled thumbs
  • Short big toes
  • Mild short stature
  • Mild bowlegs

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
Is genetic testing available for this syndrome?
How does X-linked inheritance affect other family members?
Which bone specialist should follow growth and the legs?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceX-Linked

Changes in genes (also called variants) cause this condition. X-linked dominant inheritance is suggested, which means the gene is on the X chromosome.

Genetic

Also known as: brachydactyly, mononen type; mononen type brachydactyly; short and abducted thumbs and great toes; skeletal dysplasia-brachydactyly syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Mononen-Karnes-Senac syndromeGARD ID 4886 · 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 Mononen-Karnes-Senac syndrome.

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  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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