What Is Brachymetatarsia and How Is It Treated?

Our bodies develop in a multitude of ways when we’re very young, as every part of us stays still in a constant state of growth at that stage. Take, for example, our feet, where, by six months, they’re still cartilage, and bones will continue to form there until around three years old. They resemble small adult feet, but underneath, a lot is still happening at this early stage.

This stage also represents a time when many foot deformities develop, ranging from minor problems to major disorders that affect how you walk or move on your feet. Brachymetatarsia affects the length of your toes, and as a rare form of congenital foot deformity, it can impact your gait. However, we can offer various options for treating it.

For help treating foot deformities like brachymetatarsia and other foot and ankle problems in the Fort Worth and Weatherford, Texas area, Drs. Glen Beede and Gregory Jaryga of Trinity Foot & Ankle Specialists have years of experience in addressing those needs.

Facts about brachymetatarsia

Of the 26 bones located in your foot, the metatarsals make up much of its length, reaching from the tarsal bones closer to your heel to the phalanges that make up your toes. With brachymetatarsia, this bone is shorter, often in the fourth toe, but it can also occur in multiple toes (known as brachymetapody), which makes the affected toes appear shorter.

This condition develops in a few different ways:

• Passed down genetically
• Abnormalities in skeletal development
• Previous foot trauma
• Illnesses in developing bone (pseudohypoparathyroidism or Turner’s syndrome)
• Problems with the growth plate as the foot develops

Problems it can cause

As it occurs more often in the fourth toe than in the others, it may not be accompanied by any pain or discomfort. However, even in just that toe, it can cause pain due to uneven weight distribution, problems with wearing shoes, and affect balance when walking. The problem would be magnified in the case of brachymetapody, having multiple shorter toes.

The problems with weight distribution can also lead to calluses and porokeratosis, where extra skin develops and hardens, and you feel like you’re walking on a pebble.

Treatment options

We specialize in treating this rare illness, and the treatment solution varies according to its severity. Mild cases with no pain can be treated with custom orthotics to fill the void left by the missing bone, thereby increasing support and balance to manage your weight. We can also recommend footwear that is better designed to address the condition.

More severe cases will need surgery, and we use an external fixation device to promote bone growth and lengthen the bone. Bone grafts can also work internally to perform the same task.

Not many people deal with this specific foot problem, but if you have brachymetatarsia or other conditions, schedule an appointment with Drs. Beede, Jaryga, and Trinity Foot & Ankle specialists are available today to treat your condition.