National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Proximal symphalangism



Other Names:
Strasburger-Hawkins-Eldridge syndrome; Strasburger-Hawkins-Eldridge-Hargrave-McKusick syndrome; Vessel’s syndrome; Strasburger-Hawkins-Eldridge syndrome; Strasburger-Hawkins-Eldridge-Hargrave-McKusick syndrome; Vessel’s syndrome; Hereditary absence of proximal interphalangeal joints; Proximal symphalangism; Cushing's symphalangism ; Symphalangism, proximal, 1A (subtype); Symphalangism, proximal, 1B (subtype) See More
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Proximal symphalangism, which is also called Cushing's symphalangism, is a rare genetic condition characterized by the fusion of the proximal joints in the hands and feet. These individuals usually have straight fingers and are unable to make a fist. Other joints may also be affected, leading to stiff joints in the elbows, ankles and wrists. Hearing loss due to the fusion of the auditory ossicles (bones in the middle ear) is also a characteristic feature. This condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern and is caused by a mutation in the NOG gene or GDF5 gene.[1][2]
Last updated: 5/6/2011

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

Showing of 25 |
Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
80%-99% of people have these symptoms
Camptodactyly of finger
Permanent flexion of the finger
0100490
Proximal symphalangism 0100264
Proximal symphalangism of hands
Fused innermost hinge joints
0006152
Synostosis of carpal bones
Fusion of wrist bones
0005048
Tarsal synostosis
Fused ankle bones
0008368
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Brachydactyly
Short fingers or toes
0001156
Carpal synostosis 0009702
Conductive hearing impairment
Conductive deafness
Conductive hearing loss
[ more ]
0000405
Elbow ankylosis 0003070
Elbow dislocation
Dislocations of the elbows
Elbow dislocations
[ more ]
0003042
Metacarpophalangeal synostosis
Fused long bone of hand with innermost finger bone
0005880
Sensorineural hearing impairment 0000407
Stapes ankylosis 0000381
5%-29% of people have these symptoms
Aplasia/Hypoplasia of the middle phalanges of the hand
Absent/small middle finger bone of the hand
Absent/underdeveloped middle finger bone of the hand
[ more ]
0009843
Aplasia/Hypoplasia of the middle phalanges of the toes
Absent/small middle bones of toe
Absent/underdeveloped middle bones of toe
[ more ]
0010194
Clinodactyly of the 5th finger
Permanent curving of the pinkie finger
0004209
Distal symphalangism of hands
Fused outermost bones of hand
0001204
Finger syndactyly 0006101
Strabismus
Cross-eyed
Squint
Squint eyes
[ more ]
0000486
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Abnormal finger flexion creases 0006143
Autosomal dominant inheritance 0000006
Pes planus
Flat feet
Flat foot
[ more ]
0001763
Proximal/middle symphalangism of 5th finger
Fused innermost and middle bones of little finger
Fused innermost and middle bones of pinkie finger
Fused innermost and middle bones of pinky finger
[ more ]
0009177
Short 2nd finger
Short index finger
Short index fingers
[ more ]
0009536
Short 5th metacarpal
Shortened 5th long bone of hand
0010047
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Last updated: 7/1/2020

Making a diagnosis for a genetic or rare disease can often be challenging. Healthcare professionals typically look at a person’s medical history, symptoms, physical exam, and laboratory test results in order to make a diagnosis. The following resources provide information relating to diagnosis and testing for this condition. If you have questions about getting a diagnosis, you should contact a healthcare professional.

Testing Resources

  • The Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) provides information about the genetic tests for this condition. The intended audience for the GTR is health care providers and researchers. Patients and consumers with specific questions about a genetic test should contact a health care provider or a genetics professional.

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources


Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Proximal symphalangism. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease


These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
    Proximal symphalangism 1A
    Proximal symphalangism 1B
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Proximal symphalangism. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.


  1. Proximal symphalangism. Orphanet. March 2006; http://www.orpha.net/consor/cgi-bin//OC_Exp.php?lng=EN&Expert=3250. Accessed 5/6/2011.
  2. Plett SK, Berdon WE, Cowles RA, Oklu R, Campbell JB. Cushing proximal symphalangism and the NOG and GDF5 genes. Pediatr Radiol. 2008; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17994231. Accessed 5/6/2011.