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Living with Symbrachydactyly of hands and feet

A rare condition in which fingers or toes are short, stiff, webbed, or missing.

Understanding Symbrachydactyly of hands and feet

Symbrachydactyly of hands and feet is a rare condition that affects how the hands and feet develop.

Fingers and toes may be short, stiff, webbed, or missing, sometimes replaced with small stumps (nubbins) with nails. It can affect one or both sides of the body. Muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones are affected, but there are no other limb differences. Signs are present from birth.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Short, stiff, or webbed fingers or toes
  • Missing fingers or toes
  • Small stumps with nails (nubbins)
  • Small or missing thumb
  • Differences in forearm bones
  • Curved spine (scoliosis)

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
Which hand therapy or surgery options could help?
How can we help my child with daily tasks?
Is genetic testing available for our family?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy and as a Newborn

Changes in genes (variants) cause this condition. GARD doesn't list which gene or how it is inherited.

Genetic

Also known as: de smet-fabry-fryns syndrome; frints de smet fabry fryns syndrome; symbrachydactyly of the hand and foot

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Symbrachydactyly of hands and feetGARD ID 1680 · 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 Symbrachydactyly of hands and feet.

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

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