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Living with Syndactyly type 4

A rare limb condition at birth with all fingers joined by skin, often with extra fingers.

Understanding Syndactyly type 4

Syndactyly type 4 is a rare limb condition present at birth in which all the fingers are joined by skin on both hands.

It often comes with extra fingers, usually six digits on each hand. The finger bones may fuse into one mass. The feet are occasionally affected. It occurs on its own, without other syndromes. Signs may begin in the newborn or infant years.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these:

  • Webbing of all fingers on both hands
  • Extra fingers (usually six per hand)
  • Extra toes
  • Joined toes
  • Bent fingers that don't straighten
  • Short shinbone

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 LMBR1 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
Which surgeries could improve hand function, and when?
How are the feet affected and how can they be helped?
Would LMBR1 gene testing help our family?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant
GenesLMBR1

Changes in the LMBR1 gene cause this condition. It is autosomal dominant, meaning one changed copy of the gene can cause it.

Genetic

Also known as: haas type syndactyly; lmbr1 non-syndromic syndactyly; non-syndromic syndactyly caused by mutation in lmbr1; polysyndactyly type haas; polysyndactyly, haas type; syndactyly, type iv

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Syndactyly type 4GARD ID 4434 · 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 Syndactyly type 4.

Explore the Syndactyly type 4 blog

Explore research for Syndactyly type 4

Explore actively recruiting Syndactyly type 4 studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Syndactyly type 4 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

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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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