Boy has thumbs built from fingers
A four-year-old boy has had thumbs created by plastic surgeons after he was born with a rare genetic disorder.
Tyler Dolan, from Washington, Tyne and Wear, was born with five fingers on each hand but no thumb.
He inherited the condition from his mother, Clare, who also had a similar condition when she was a child.
But thanks to two operations by doctors at the University Hospital of North Durham, a finger on each hand has been turned into a thumb.
It takes time but he is getting there
Clare Dolan, Tyler's mother
Clare, 27, who underwent surgery about 20 years ago to build thumbs on her hands, said: "It is really great for him. He is still learning how to use his thumbs, I suppose he has got so used to just having fingers.
"He sometimes holds pencils with his fingers but his thumbs are working properly.
"He was never really aware of the condition, but now he is at school it is good doctors have done this for him."
Tyler had the surgery done on his left hand a year ago and then doctors operated on his right hand just before Christmas.
He is now undergoing physiotherapy sessions to help build up strength in his hand.
"It takes time but he is getting there," Clare added.
