Born With Eight Fingers on One Hand, Elisa’s Journey Led Her Across the World for Life-Changing Care

When Elisa was born in Türkiye, her parents noticed something unexpected about her left hand: she had eight fingers. What followed was a long search for answers, a journey across continents, and a carefully planned operation designed to help her use her hand more comfortably as she grows.

A Rare Difference From Birth

Elisa’s extra fingers had not been detected during pregnancy ultrasounds. When she was just three days old, an X-ray revealed an unusual bone structure in her forearm: her radius bone was absent, and she had two ulna bones instead.

A hand surgeon in Türkiye diagnosed her with mirror hand syndrome, also known as ulnar dimelia. This rare congenital condition can affect the structure and function of the hand and wrist. Elisa’s family began researching the condition and contacting specialists to understand what care might give their daughter the best possible function.

A Family’s Search for the Right Specialist

Elisa’s parents, Emircan and Gülten, spent countless hours learning about the condition and exploring treatment options. They consulted doctors in Türkiye and Germany before connecting with Charles Goldfarb, MD, a specialist in congenital hand differences at Washington University Orthopedics in St. Louis, Missouri.

His experience treating mirror hand syndrome helped the family feel more confident about their next steps. With support from the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation, they traveled roughly 5,700 miles from Türkiye to the United States so Elisa could receive specialized care.

Creating a More Functional Hand

After extensive planning, Elisa underwent reconstructive surgery with Dr. Goldfarb and Dr. Lindley Wall. The team focused on improving the alignment of her hand and wrist and making it easier for her to grasp and explore objects.

During the procedure, the surgeons preserved four fingers and used another finger to create a thumb through a technique called pollicization. They also transferred available tendons to help strengthen and straighten her wrist.

The goal was not simply to change the appearance of Elisa’s hand, but to improve its function and give her more opportunities to use it as she grows.

Small Steps Toward New Skills

After surgery, Elisa initially felt uncomfortable with people touching her hand. Over the following weeks, she gradually became more curious and began reaching for toys and holding them with her left hand.

With help from her hand therapist, Hannah Gift, Elisa started learning new ways to move her fingers. Her parents were encouraged to see her becoming more comfortable and using her hand with greater control.

A Future Full of Possibilities

For Elisa’s family, the journey involved much more than medical treatment. They adapted to a new country, a different language, and life far from home while building close relationships with the people caring for their daughter.

Her parents hope their experience will encourage other families facing rare congenital conditions. The early days can bring uncertainty, they explain, but patience, research, and finding the right care can make a meaningful difference.

Elisa’s story is still unfolding. With a more functional hand and continued support, she can keep discovering the world one small milestone at a time.

Source: Washington University Orthopedics, “A Family’s Journey for Life-Changing Care,” April 22, 2026.