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Home » Topics A–Z » Ainhum
Author: Brian Wu PhD. MD Candidate, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, USA; Chief Editor: Hon A/Prof Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand, February 2016.
Ainhum is a condition that refers to the auto-amputation of a digit, usually the 5th toe. This is sometimes bilateral and can also, though less frequently, affect the fingers. It is a poorly understood phenomenon and medical literature is somewhat lacking. It is also known as dactylopsis spontanea.
Ainhum occurs equally in males and females. Risk factors for getting ainhum include:
Ainhum occurs due to a fibrotic band which encircles a digit and constricts it, gradually causing the auto-amputation.
Diagnosis of ainhum is based upon the following three features:
Patients with ainhum may present with:
Ainhum may be staged according to the following criteria:
Treatment for ainhum may include:
Ainhum in itself is rarely fatal, but may put patient at risk for:
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