Rare diseases · Sign or symptom

Distal finger symphalangism

Fused outermost bones of hand

HP:0001204

What it means

The term distal symphalangism refers to a bony fusion of the distal and middle phalanges of the digits of the hand, in other words the distal interphalangeal joint (DIJ) is missing which can be seen either on x-rays or as an absence of the distal interphalangeal finger creases.

Rare diseases that can present with this1

Sometimes5–29%

1

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Distal symphalangism of hands · Symphalangism affecting the distal phalanges of the hand · Synostosis of distal phalanges · Terminal symphalangism

Distal finger symphalangism

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This page uses the Human Phenotype Ontology (2026-06-23) — Human Phenotype Ontology Consortium, hpo.jax.org. Disease associations from Orphanet (INSERM), CC BY 4.0. Content is educational and is not medical advice.