Brachymetatarsia Infographic
Brachymetatarsia is a foot deformity that causes one toe to be shorter than all the other toes. Affecting women more often than men, it can cause everything from mild embarrassment to severe pain. Typically affecting the fourth toe of both feet, the condition makes normal walking movements nearly impossible. The resulting uneven weight distribution places an undue burden on the other toes of the foot, which can in turn cause pain, calluses, and even ulcerations.
Thankfully, there are a number of treatment options for people who suffer from brachymetatarsia. Those with a mild abnormality can buy special shoes, insoles, and pads that lessen the discomfort associated with the condition. Patients with a more severe form (or people who simply tire of the pain, expense, and humiliation of the deformity) often seek surgical relief.
Those who do choose surgery have three options from which to choose—gradual lengthening, bone grafting, and stage lengthening. Read through our infographic to learn more about brachymetatarsia, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each type of surgery.
What Is It?
Brachymetatarsia is the name of a condtion wherein one of your toes is noticeably shorter than the others.
Most of the time it is the fourth toes that comes up short.
In 72% of cases, the condition affects both feet at the same time.
Brachymetatarsia disrupts the normal movement of the feet and places an undue burden on the other toes.
That can cause pain, calluses, ulcerations, and cosmetic problems. It can also make fitting into shoes difficult.
Why Do I Have Brachymetatarsia?
Many people inherit the condition through their genes, although trauma is also responsible in some cases.
Oftentimes, the shortened toe first becomes visible in childhood or early adolescence, between the ages of 4 and 15.
Women are 25 times more likely than men to get brachymetatarsia.
How Do I Fix It?
There are a few steps you can take to relieve your pain:
Buy special shoes that allow your toe to move more freely.
Use padding inside the shoe.
Get surgery.
Each method has its pros and cons.
If you opt for surgery, doctors will perform one of three procedures, namely gradual lengthening, bone grafting, and stage lengthening.
Which Procedure is Best?
Gradual Lengthening
The most common procedure, this involves attaching a device to your bone.
You'll turn a special knob 3 times every day for up to 3 weeks.
As soon as the lengthened bone heals, your physician will surgically remove the device.
Pros
Offers a great deal of flexibility.
Can fix severely displaced toes.
Cons
Leaves an unsightly scar.
Requires patient participation.
Involves two separate operations.
Bone Grafting
In this procedure, a surgeon will remove a piece of bone from somewhere else in your body and add it to the affected toe.
Pros
Only involves one operation.
Has a relatively short recovery time (about 2 months).
Cons
Requires two locations for incision.
Immobilizes you during recovery.
Stage Lengthening
With this method, your surgeon will use screws, wires, or sutures to lengthen the bone.
Pros
Requires only one incision.
Allows you to walk home on crutches.
Cons
Make take a few weeks before allowed to bear weight.