Brachymetatarsia

[livingwith]

I have read all of the post about this embarrassment on my right foot and I just want to thank you all for sharing. Now I know that i’m not the only one with these feelings. My mother says that its bad but her feet are perfectly even. I went to california for a week an decided to get bold and buy and wear a pair of 9west flipflops. People stared at my toes like my feet were green with purple pokadots. Now I have only gone so far as to wear peep toe shoes that only show the first two toes.l...Read the full article

[MAMASANGEL716]

My daughter is the writer of the above post. When she came home from work today, she brought all of this info that she had printed out, pulled up this website on my computer and left me alone to read her story. This breaks my heart. I never knew how much this condition broke my baby's heart. I tried to always be sensative to her need for a certain type of shoe that she could wear everytime the weather got warm. But I never saw the 'breaking of her heart'. No matter how much she complained about the pain in her foot, I never fully understood it. I did not know that this was a 'condition' that affected so many people, that there was actually a website where she could find comrads and comfort as well as sound medical advice.

Now, I can support her in a stronger manner, I can be more compassionate about her pain. Like she said, I always told her that her foot didn't look bad...I never saw it from her view - but now I do. And I want to thank you for providing a 'safe place' for her to talk about where she wouldn't be laughed at, pointed out or made fun of.

Thank you for being a port in her storm.
Just her mom

[pennsylvania]

I am a 32 (almost 33) year old female that suffers from Brachymetatarsia. I have this problem in both feet. I fully understand your pain. I am the exact same way...I either put on bedroom slippers when people come over, or, as you do, throw on the socks. The senario is much easier in the colder months.lol When I go to the pool I wear shoes to the edge of the pool and and get out of the pool in the exact spot to quickly put them back on again. I must admit that I am not brave enough to just go for it and not care. At the beach my feet are burried in the sand. I try to act like the are normal in public by wearing the peep toe shoes that only show the few couple of toes on normal feet so no one thinks any is wierd about me. I truly wish as you do that there was an easier way to have this corrected. I often think how much life would change with this correction. I am not self concious about anything else about me. I found myself growing up saying very often "why me." I still say it. I try real hard to see the glass have full rather than half empty, but it isn't easy. I also find myself wishing that there were more people out there with this problem because then it would be more normal than not.

Other than my feelings and the embarrassment about it, I do have real physical problems too. I too am in pain a lot. Also, it is hard to find shoes that are comfortable and also stylish.

I sometimes find it hard to believe that all these women out there can easily get breast implants, nose jobs, face lifts, lypo, etc., and this problem is so complicated to correct.

My dream has always been to weat a cute pair a flip flops out in public. I'm not sure that dream will ever come true.

Contact me anytime to talk!

[klaurece]

hey all, well im the writer of (KEEPING MY SOCKS ON) and It is so nice to read more comments about people with this condition. I was also scared that when I had my son he would come out with this Brach. but i'm happy to report that his feet are perfectly normal. I really want and need the surgery because my feet are always in pain. If anyone has any information please let me know.

[desertwillow]

I just found out about my toes on the internet that i'm not the only one who has bradchymetatarsia.
I'm a 65-year-old African American and believed this only occured in my family. My deceased father had the raised short 4th toe left foot, like my sister. I have bilateral brachymetatarsia involving (both 4th toes being the same size as the little toe) and they don't give me any problems. I do keep my socks on when company comes and do my own pedicures. I just wish I could find some kind of artifical toe that fits over my 4th toes, i don't need surgery at my age.

[ma1ma1]

Hi, my name is Mary and I had the same problem. I had the surgery in March and wearing sandals is not just a dream anymore. I would like to talk to you about it because I used to feel the same way you do and I want you to know that there is something you can do about it too. :)

[Ceibena]

Hello! my name is Wendy, I am 28 years old and I also have Brachymetatarsia (4th metatarsal on my left foot). I did not know until recently what this embarrassing condition was called. Is such a relief to know that there are many others with the same condition as mine. I only wish I could get my problem corrected.
Mary, can you please give me an idea of how much the surgery costs? I would greatly appreciate it.

[eatcakee]

Hello I just read your comment about the surgery. do you mind exchanging emails with me so I could ask some questions about the surgery - it would be much appreciated!

[roxymount]

Wow, Finally someone who KNOWS my pain. I started to tear up when i was reading what people wrote. Who would have thought that this would be something i have in common with other people. I always thought i was the biggest weirdo and if only i could be normal, why me why this? I went to the doctor for the first time to find out what it is and he explained surgery option but convinced me that surgery is not worth the pain. But when i read all different stories about it, i wonder how any doctor could tell anyone with this problem not to get surgery. I mean does he not realize how much this does affect the way we live our lives. The constant thought that goes into the outfits i put together always making sure i wear shoes and never any sandals. Or what about the people i work with who ask "Why don't you ever wear sandals?" My answer is well I'm not a foot person, feet gross me out. Not true, just embarrassed. If anyone knows of the surgery info i would love to educate myself.

Thanks All

[heatherxl3]

So, this is really difficult for me. I'm 20 years old, college student. I've been dealing with Brachymetatarsia in both of my fourth toes. I was made fun of relentlessly growing up, and it's stuck with me. I recently went to the beach with my boyfriend's family and caught his little brother staring on the beach like he was horrified as I tried to bury my feet in the sand. Luckily, my boyfriend and I have been together for years and he says it's nothing, but all of you will understand. After growing up through all of the tormenting, it's not nothing.
Someone had mentioned that they didn't think anyone with this problem would suggest not going through surgery. I would advise against it from my personal experience. In highschool I went through a bone graft process, telling everyone I just fell down the stairs of course. Not only was I in immense pain for days, screaming out for more vicodin (my prescription was for 750s, and they never seemed enough), I couldn't leave my bed for over a week. After that week, when I actually felt capable of moving around I was alright. It was still painful, but one thing I did not realize before going into surgery was how long 3 months really is. I was on crutches with a cast for 3 long months. When I finally got the cast removed, there was MINIMAL difference. My right toe (the one which was operated on) is maybe 2 millimeters longer than the left. The surgeon considered this a success. He had promised me at least a centimeter, and after going through this very long, very painful process, the difference is not noticeable.

I'm still having a hard time dealing with my feet. I'm considering trying the other procedure, but I can hardly find any information on it. I also don't know how strongly I would advise against the surgery, because looking back the pain would have been more than worth it being that I had seen a result. I would have actually gone through with the process of fixing my left as well. I really think that it is important to find a doctor who has a lot of experience in the field of Brachymetatarsia (although, my doctor and performed 10 prior Brachymetatarsia procedures), and be sure that you know what you are putting yourself through and that there may be a chance that your feet will not come out looking like you want them to.

I think that I should add that all of your stories have made me cry and it's hard to believe as many people have the same socks on, slippers on, feet in the sand policies as I do. I have found that flats are my friend and that peep-toes are even better, at least then my hideous feet can get a chance to breathe for a second.

But if anyone knows about or has tried the other procedure, please get a hold of me. I really want to know more.