Health Care Encyclopedia
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ArachnodactylyDefinition: Arachnodactyly is a physical condition in which the fingers are long, slender, and curved, resembling a spider's legs.
Alternative Names: Dolichostenomelia; Spider fingers; Achromacria
Considerations: Long, slender fingers can be�normal and not associated with any medical problems. However, in some cases, the tendency to develop spider fingers can indicate an underlying disease.
Common Causes: Note: Long, slender fingers may be normal.
Call your health care provider if: Some children are born with arachnodactyly, although it may develop over time. Consult with your health care provider during a routine examination if your child has long, slender fingers and you are concerned that an underlying condition may exist.
What to expect at your health care provider's office: The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the patient's medical history, including: - Time pattern
- When did you first notice the fingers being shaped like this?
- Family history
- Is there any family history of early death?
- Is there any family history of known hereditary disorders?
- Symptoms
- What other symptoms are also present?
- Have you noticed any other unusual things?
Diagnostic tests are usually not necessary unless a hereditary disorder is suspected.
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| Review Date: 5/10/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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