Brachymetatarsia Diagnosis and Treatments

Brachymetatarsia is a pathology that affects the foot, in particular the metatarsals which may be shorter than normal . In this article we will see how the diagnosis of Brachymetatarsia is made.

Metatarsal imbalance causes a variety of structural and functional problems. Pain and difficulty walking make this condition debilitating, lowering the quality of life of those affected.

Let's delve deeper into this debilitating condition and discover how brachymetatarsia is treated to regain your health.

What is Brachymetatarsia?

When one or more metatarsals of the foot are shorter , and therefore there is an abnormal condition of imbalance, we are dealing with brachymetatarsia.

It should be noted that the metatarsal most affected by brachymetatarsia is usually the fourth ; this does not mean that the other metatarsals are immune from being affected.

This foot condition can be caused by the premature closure , during development, of the growth plate of the affected metatarsal(s).

Not only growth and development problems, but also congenital or acquired causes can lead to the development of brachymetatarsia. A genetic predisposition or injuries and traumas , therefore, contribute to increasing the likelihood of suffering from brachymetatarsia.

Symptoms of Brachymetatarsia

When brachymetatarsia develops, one is also affected by various symptoms , more or less serious depending on the severity of the pathology.

The most well-known and widespread symptoms are :

• Visible foot deformity: in the presence of one or more metatarsals that are shorter than the others, they are easily recognizable as “deformed”;
• Foot pain: mainly concentrated in the affected metatarsal; pain may worsen with physical activity or pressure;
• Precarious balance: the deformity that causes brachymetatarsia causes body weight to be poorly distributed, thus affecting the stability of posture;
• Difficulty walking: it is a consequential condition derived mainly from pain, which prevents a normal and controlled gait:
• Formation of calluses and ulcers: a direct consequence of incorrect body weight distribution; calluses and ulcers not only cause pain but are also prone to infection;
• Musculoskeletal problems: This is a symptom of brachymetatarsia reaching a fairly severe stage; the compromised posture can also cause pain in the hips, knees, and back.

All these symptoms can make life really difficult for those who suffer from them.

It is therefore essential to diagnose brachymetatarsia as early as possible to choose and begin an appropriate and personalized treatment.

Diagnosis of Brachymetatarsia

To diagnose brachymetatarsia , first of all, you need to consult a specialist doctor.

The diagnostic visit is divided into several steps. 

It begins with the physical examination and medical history.

The doctor, through a physical examination , examines the foot to assess the severity of the deformity , as well as understand how much mobility the affected foot has left.

The anamnesis , on the other hand, consists of gathering all the information about the patient ; both the symptoms and the current state of brachymetatarsia, as well as their past medical history. It is also important to know the patient's general health to evaluate and understand the best treatment to adopt to defeat brachymetatarsia.

To confirm the diagnosis and better understand the severity of the condition, foot x-rays are commonly performed . Only with these images can the exact length of the affected metatarsal(s) be assessed, also revealing any structural abnormalities.

Non-surgical treatments for brachymetatarsia

Like almost all foot pathologies, doctors recommend treating brachymetatarsia , initially and if the pathology is not yet serious, with non-surgical treatments.

The main aim of these treatments is to reduce symptoms and relieve pain , thus allowing you to partially or fully return to your daily life.

If we want to list these conservative treatments , among them we will have:

• theuse of orthopedic shoes tailor-made;
• the use of customized foot orthoses;
• theapplication of protective pads and padding, as a prevention for the formation of calluses and ulcers;
• taking anti-inflammatory drugs;
• la physiotherapy.

All these approaches, combined, contribute to improving the patient's quality of life , even if, more often than not, they fail to definitively correct the problem.

Surgical Treatments for Brachymetatarsia

When non-surgical treatments fail to combat the symptoms of brachymetatarsia as desired, doctors recommend surgery.

To treat brachymetatarsia , there are mainly two surgical approaches: lengthening osteotomy and distraction devices.

Lengthening osteotomy involves cutting the short metatarsal and grafting bone to lengthen it and restore the correct length. The surgeon separates the metatarsal affected by brachymetatarsia into two sections; the bone graft, often taken from another part of the patient's body, is inserted directly between the two sections.

This is a fairly invasive procedure , although it is considered the most effective, as it immediately and precisely lengthens the metatarsus, thus correcting the defect with a single operation.

Distraction devices , on the other hand, use external devices called distractors that gradually lengthen the bone. Fixed to the bone with pins or wires, the distractor is adjusted using a special mechanism that the patient and the doctor can lengthen by a few millimeters each day, thus lengthening the bone. The entire process is called distraction osteogenesis, which allows the bone to grow naturally.

It is a less invasive procedure than lengthening osteotomy, but requires much longer treatment than the first procedure. This technique reduces the risk of complications and infections.

SmartHallux and brachymetatarsia

SmartHallux is a cutting-edge center specializing in foot and ankle care.

Thanks to its team of specialist surgeons , led by the internationally renowned surgeon Dr. Luigi Manzi, SmartHallux has developed cutting-edge techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of brachymetatarsia.

What SmartHallux offers, in addition to the expertise and professionalism of its team, is total dedication to the patient , from diagnosis to post-operative recovery and beyond.

SmartHallux stands out for its use of cutting-edge, minimally invasive techniques, which allow for a faster post-operative recovery . These techniques include state-of-the-art distraction systems and biocompatible materials that promote rapid recovery.

If you suffer from brachymetatarsia and want to regain your health, click here and book your appointment with SmartHallux as soon as possible.

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