Overview

Brachymetatarsia is a condition where one of the bones in your foot, the metatarsal, is significantly smaller than the other bones. The condition may affect any of the toe bones, however, the fourth metatarsal is the most commonly affected. In these cases, the fourth toe is shorter than the other toes or even appears as if the fourth toe sits on top of the third and fifth toes. It often can occur in both feet. If you suffer from brachymetatarsia, a foot surgeon in Midtown at Foot and Ankle Surgeons of New York can help you.

 

Causes

Brachymetatarsia is caused by the metatarsal growth plate closing too early. Once this plate closes, the bone can no longer grow congruent with your other bones. This can be caused by a genetic factor or even from trauma to the foot that occurs during development. Regardless of what has caused your brachymetatarsia, a foot surgeon in Midtown at Foot and Ankle Surgeons of New York can help.

 

Issues Resulting From Brachymetatarsia

• • Appearance – Having a shortened metatarsal toe can be embarrassing for some, especially during the warmer months. This can also cause problems with finding the right footwear for your condition.
  • Pain and discomfort – Your toes help you stay balanced and provide support for your body weight. When the shortened metatarsal cannot meet the ground properly or carry its share of body weight, it can result in additional strain on your adjacent toes.
  • Callus – A callus can easily be formed due to extra skin growth often caused by this condition.

 

With help from one of our foot surgeons in Midtown, we can go over the options available to you.

 

Treatments

Common treatment options for this condition include:

• • Shoe Modifications – Wearing orthopedic shoes that provide room for the shortened toe can help with discomfort. Padding in these specially designed shoes can help to protect the toe from pressure and friction. At Foot and Ankle Surgeons of New York, we can provide you with footwear designed for your brachymetatarsia.
  • Surgery – Depending on the severity of your condition, surgery can be done to lengthen the short toe. In one type of procedure, the short toe bone is cut and grafted between the two ends to extend the toe. Our podiatric surgeons will be able to determine which surgical method is right for you.

 

We Can Help

A foot surgeon in Midtown can help you if you are suffering from brachymetatarsia. By using an x-ray to diagnose and evaluate your condition, we can devise the best possible treatment for you. We make sure you know all of the options available and can help you by providing specialized footwear as well as surgical management. Our goal is to make sure you get the best treatment possible. Contact us today for more information!