Let’s Talk About Limb Differences

What is a limb difference?

A limb difference is used to describe when someone has a limb that is different to most peoples and can be congenital (born with partial or complete absence of a limb) or acquired (limb is removed for medical reasons or injury).

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Some Stats…

• 8 in 10,000 children are born with a limb difference per year. Over 50 conditions can result in a congenital limb difference.
• 1 million limb amputations occur worldwide per year…That’s 1 every 30 seconds.

Congenital Limb Differences

• Longitudinal Limb Difference – when the radius, fibula, or tibia are completely or partially absent
  • 2/3 of these limb differences are associated with Adams-Oliver Syndrome, Holt-Oram Syndrome, Tar, Fanconi Anemia, and Vacterl Syndrome.
• Transverse Limb Difference – When an entire section of a limb does not develop. The remaining limb often resembles an amputation stump.
  • Amniotic Band Syndrome
• Symbrachydactyly – Where some bones of the fingers and hand are absent, or when some fingers have not developed.
• Oligodactyly – Having fewer than five fingers on a hand or five toes on a foot.
  • Electrodactyly – Where one or more central digits does not form in hand or food.
• Polydactyly – Having one or more extra fingers, toes, or additional phalanges within a digit.
• Syndactyly – The webbing or fusion of toes or fingers. Can range from two digits being fused to all five.
  • Simple Syndactyly is when only the soft tissues are fused.
  • Complex Syndactyly is when the bones are fused.

Written With Permission From @theiampossiblefoundation