Comments on: It aint no raptor claw, it’s brachymetatarsia

By: CeCe

CeCe — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:37:32 +0000

Thanks for all the comments. I never knew about Brachymetarsia until a year or so ago. On one hand i would like the surgery (the one stage) but on the other hand I want to love my toe so much (4th toe on left foot) that I won’t want the surgery. Plus there are many shoes and sandals these days with peep toes, etc. I think if more of us showed our toes people wouldn’t be so surprised. P.S. none of my grown kids have it and I don’t know of any of my relatives (probably hiding too lol!). God bless you all!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:03:51 +0000

………………. i have had this toes dince i was a little girl and the only people who know about it is my family and 2 college friends. ny boyfriend and i have been dating for a yr and he doesnt know. i want to tell him but idk how, plus i had some one react really crudely wheen i tols/showed them. but hey Tiny Tim ( it’s what i call the little toe on my left foot) is here to stay.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:47:34 +0000

Hi Pam-
I too have this on one foot, fourth toe, and like most of us, have been terribly embarrassed by it my whole life (I’m 48). Could you let me know how you are doing? I want to have surgery to correct it, but am not sure which way to go, with either the external fixator or the one stage. I did contact the doctor in the Beverly Hills area that Kidd mentioned above, but due to the extensive follow up required, they don’t offer this new type of surgery to anyone that resides outside of California, and I’m in Texas. Are you pleased with your outcome? Was your surgery covered by insurance? Hope you are well.

By: pam

pam — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:03:55 +0000

I am a 42 year old female. I recently had the surgery to correct this. I have been haunted by this short toe for as long as I can remember. Last Summer while getting a pedicure (2nd in my life although I get my nails done bi-weekly), an older lady inquired about my short toe and asked if I ever wanted to do something about it. She gave me the name of a doc and I went home and immediatly emailed his office. The next day I had my first appt. I had surgery four months later this past Nov. I have the external fixator on my foot presently. I am looking at another four weeks (give or take). BUt I must say the pain was minimal with two or three short exceptions. The hardest part is the waiting. I thank God for the miracle to fix the length of my fourth toe. I too didn’t learn to swim, shy away from beaches, die to wear sandals, etc. I look so forward to a sexy left foot to match my right.

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:54:29 +0000

I’m 18, female, and I have the small 4th toe only on my right foot. All my life I’ve been self-conscious of my feet. I can’t wear flip flops because people stare at me like I’m a freak, my toe sits higher and wearing heels becomes painful… my family, though playfully, has taken to calling me “Stumpy” from time to time. I just hate it so much. I’m glad I’m not alone, and maybe I’ll feel better when I need to wear flip flops, but this really sucks. Still, I don’t want surgery, at least not yet. Why should I have to change? It’s a passed down trait, my uncle has it too. I was born with it. It’s my toe. It hasn’t caused me too much pain yet, so I think I’ll keep it right now. I just want to say to all the other short-toed people… don’t worry, you’re not alone. And you’re not ugly.

By: Socks on

Socks on — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 06:09:19 +0000

I’ve had brachymetatarsia for as long as I can remember. And I have always hidden it. It’s so embarrassing going out to the beach or anywhere. I love shoes and heels but it’s so hard to find some that won’t cut off your toe and it can hurt so I put a band aid Over it so it stays down and won’t come out.
I’ve been doing research an I want to get the one step procedure which seems easier and less painful than the external fixiator. Does anyone have any idea to how much it would cost and of any doctors located in southern California?

By: Melissa Ringey

Melissa Ringey — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 23:35:30 +0000

I have brachymetatarsia on both feet with the 4th metatarsal (most common and obviously genetic). I too hid my toes for years. Now that I’m older (not real old, just older — 45), I wear Ecco sandals with a strap that covers the short toes and is very comfortable. And, once in awhile I will go barefoot (rarely) — because people do notice, and I always feel like I have to explain (also because going barefoot is just more physically painful). I know that you can have an external fixator to lengthen the toes, but I have had an external fixator on my first metatarsal to fix a bunion surgery gone wrong (where the cut bone died and shortened), and I would never, ever do it again. Mind you, I have not had a good experience with foot surgery (possibly rare); but to me, unless you are in severe pain — learn to live with it. For me, the bunions cause more pain (wish the surgery for bunions that I had worked). For my 1st metatarsal, the external fixator was improperly working and I had to have another put on. Then, in the end, the bone/gap is not filling in/healing and I have to use the Exogen ultrasound bone stimulator. I could not drive/walk/do much for 6 months with the fixator on. I had to use a rollabout scooter that has now affected my hip and I have pain there. This has been endless, and I wasn’t even correcting my brachymetatarsia, just a bunion! So, surgery for my brachy short toes is out of the question!

Basically, there are worse things in life. I know it can be a pain, a hassle, an embarrassment. I’m resigned to the fact that I can’t wear most shoes (also because of bunions and of which because surgery made worse), I know my feet are not beautiful. I have learned that having really good shoes makes a huge difference. In addition I have very flat feet, so believe me that shoe quality is of utmost importance. I DO wear sandals — they are generally more practical, not stylish, and cover the toes (those muliti-strapped sandals are the worse as my toes stick through or are irritated by them).

Although none of this is ideal, I’d be glad if this was all the angst in life that I would have to deal with…

By: Melissa Ringey

Melissa Ringey — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 23:20:38 +0000

I have brachymetatarsia on both feet with the 4th metatarsal (most common and obviously genetic). I too hid my toes for years. Now that I’m older (not real old, just older — 45), I wear Ecco sandals with a strap that covers the short toes and is very comfortable. And, once in awhile I will go barefoot (rarely) — because people do notice, and I always feel like I have to explain. I know that you can have an external fixator to lengthen the toes, but I have had an external fixator on my first metatarsal to fix a bunion surgery gone wrong (where the cut bone died and shortened), and I would never, ever do it again. Mind you, I have not had a good experience with foot surgery (possibly rare); but to me, unless you are in severe pain — learn to live with it. For me, the bunions cause more pain (wish the surgery for bunions that I had worked). For my 1st metatarsal, the external fixator was improperly working and I had to have another put on. Then, in the end, the bone/gap is not filling in/healing and I have to use the Exogen ultrasound bone stimulator. I could not drive/walk/do much for 6 months with the fixator on. I had to use a rollabout scooter that has now affected my hip and I have pain there. This has been endless, and I wasn’t even correcting my brachymetatarsia, just a bunion! So, surgery for my brachy short toes is out of the question!

Although none of this is ideal, I’d be glad if this was all the angst in life that I would have to deal with…

By: Jazzy831

Jazzy831 — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 06:24:07 +0000

I have a small toe 2! I had no idea that it had a name! I thought I was the only person in the world who had it. My doctor said it was a short bone and there was nothing to do ro fix it. I wear flip flops all the time! Its my 4th toe on my left foot. I once wore sandles to school and noo one said anything about about my toe (thats probably because i hid it every chance i got) Now i dont feel so odd and im going to wear sandles and flip flops everywhere! and why do some of you people try to hide your toes 24/7? Be proud you have a short toe! Dont try to hide it! And dont get it fix unless it hurts or you cant stand it! Show off your feet! Let the world see them! :D

By: kk

kk — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 20:58:40 +0000

I’m 25. I have brachymetatarsia in my right foot, 4th toe. When I was 8 years old, I noticed the toe wasn’t keeping up with the others. I guess I must’ve been subconsciously embarrassed about it when I was younger because in all old photos, my ‘bad foot’ is hidden by my ‘good foot’ by the way I was standing! I never had any pain from it, so I never felt pessimistic about this condition; everyone has physical flaws and I’m glad mine is something so miniscule. Feet aren’t so appealing anyway. My Mom used to say, “So you’ll never be a foot model, who cares?” I’ve always thought it was odd that my identical twin sister doesn’t have a ‘little toe’. When we were 18, we both had foot pain so went to the podiatrist together (I had an unrelated fracture, she had constant pain in her right foot, 2nd toe). The doctor pointed to my ‘little toe’ and said ‘Brachymetatarsia!’ and looked at her foot and labeled it ‘Frieberg’s Infarction… they’re related… both genetic’… I was intrigued to learn my little toe had a name, and that there may be a genetic link to the two conditions. I haven’t been able to find further studies on the possible genetic factors involved here.

The only way I’m affected by this is that I don’t get pedicures for my fear of breaking out into a laughter fit after seeing how uncomfortable the manicurist might look.