My Orthopaedic Surgeon

Syndactyly is the term for joined fingers (and toes)

Web site of a support group for this joint condition

Scope is a UK disability organisation whose focus is people with cerebral palsy (cp). Scope's website is often the first place people go to find out more about cerebral palsy, a physical condition that affects movement. One in 400 children born in this co

Anatomy and Pathophysiology Natural History Surgical and Non-Surgical Options Non-Operative Treatment Benefits and Limits Surgical Intervention and Considerations Potential Operative Complications Rehabilitation/Convalescence Clubfoot is a complex deformity that is readily apparent at birth and in some cases is diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound. The goal of treatment is to obtain and maintain correction of the clubfoot so that the patient has a functional, pain-free, plantigrade foot, with good mobility and without calluses, and does not need modified shoes. Parents of infants born with clubfeet and no other significant medical problems should be reassured that their child, when treated by medical experts, will have feet that are fully compatible with a normal, active life. However, it must always be remembered that a clubfoot will never be a normal foot.

Definition Club foot repair, also known as foot tendon release or club foot release, is the surgical repair of a birth defect of the foot and ankle called club foot. Purpose Club foot or talipes equinovarus is the most common birth defect of the lower extremity, characterized by the foot turning both downward and inward. The defect can range from mild to severe and the purpose of club foot repair is to provide the child with a functional foot that looks as normal as possible and that is painless, plantigrade, and flexible. Plantigrade means that the child is able to stand with the sole of the foot on the ground, and not on his heels or the outside of his foot. Encyclopedia of Surgery: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers

Clubfoot [Talipes Equinovarus] Massachsetts General Hospital

Review by dermatologist. Article by Kara N Shah, MD, PhD

Definition Return to top Ectodermal dysplasia is a hereditary condition characterized by abnormal development of the skin, hair, nails, teeth, and sweat glands.

Ectodermal Dysplasia (ED) is not a single disorder, but a group of closely related conditions. More than 150 different syndromes have been identified. The Ectodermal Dysplasias are heritable conditions in which there are abnormalities of two or more ectodermal structures such as the hair (tends to be very thin and sparse),teeth (absent, pointed or conical), nails, sweat glands (little or no sweating), cranial-facial structure, the eyes, digits and other parts of the body. Each combination of features represents another type of ED Syndrome and has a specific name.

Ectodermal dysplasia is not a single disorder, but a group of closely related conditions. More than 150 different syndromes have been identified. Ectodermal dysplasias are described as "heritable conditions in which there are abnormalities of two or more ectodermal structures such as the hair, teeth, nails, sweat glands, cranial-facial structure, digits and other parts of the body."

Ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft syndrome (EEC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the triad of ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, and facial clefting (Celli, Duijf, Hamel, et al. 1999). Other features noted in association with EEC include vesicoureteral reflux, recurrent urinary tract infections (Ramirez, Lammer, 2004), obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct (Peterson-Falzone, Hardin-Jones, Karnell, 2001), decreased pigmentation of the hair and skin, missing or abnormal teeth, enamel hypoplasia, absent punctae in the lower eye lids, photophobia, occasional cognitive impairment and kidney anomalies, (Shprintzen, 1997) and conductive hearing loss (Brunner, Hamel, van Bokhoven, 2002; Shprintzen, 1997). Ectrodactyly involves the deficiency or absence of one or more central digits of the hand or foot and is also known as split hand-split foot malformation (SHFM), (Moerman and Fryns, 1996; Brunner et al., 2002). The hands and feet of people with ectrodactyly are often described as "claw-like" and may include only the thumb and one finger (usually either the little finger, ring finger, or a syndactyly of the two) with similar abnormalities of the feet (Peterson-Falzone, et al., 2001).

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a collection of heritable disorders of connective tissue (HDCT), with wide-ranging effects caused by defects in collagen production or synthesis.
EDS affects all cells in the body, with pronounced effects in ligaments, joints, blood vessels, internal organs and skin. It can affect each type of tissue differently, creating unusual qualities such stretchiness in some tissues and fragility in others. 
Due to its complicated and variable presentations -- which can differ significantly from one patient to the next, even in the same family -- EDS is poorly recognized and poorly understood. Details of the condition are still misrepresented in many medical education resources, therefore clarification of the facts through a reputable and focused source is essential for medical professionals who wish to understand this painful and debilitating disease. 
This independent writer recommends reading medical articles published in peer-reviewed journals by Clair Francomano, M.D. and Nazli McDonnell, M.D., Ph.D., who are considered world-class experts in HDCTs; and studying information presented on the website maintained by the Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation.