Strange Medical Conditions You Won’t Believe Are Real

Polymelia

Polymelia is an extremely rare congenital disability where the patient is born with five or more limbs. The four kinds of polymelia are cephalomelia, an additional limb connected to the patient’s head; pyromelia, a limb attached to the pelvis; thoracomelia, a limb attached to the thorax; and notomelia; an extra limb attached to the backbone.

Polymelia is rare, affecting approximately sixty-five out of every one-thousand babies, but can be found during pregnancy through ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Treatments require surgery to cut the soft tissue between the additional limb(s) and the rest of the body. However, it can sometimes lead to lifelong complications or disabilities.

Now that you know about polymelia, keep reading to learn about the disease that starred in the film Jack, portrayed by Robin Williams.