Brachymetacarpia and brachymetatarsia: do we need to operate?

Abstract

• Brachymetacarpia and brachymetatarsia are rare congenital presentations denoted by shortening of metacarpals and metatarsals respectively, in which the deformity usually presents around childhood/early adolescence.

• The aetiology is usually congenital besides several other syndromic or endocrinologic associations.

• Cosmetic issues such as absence of a normal-looking knuckle while making a fist or disruption of finger-tip curvature besides functional issues are the main indications for surgical intervention in brachymetacarpia.

• In the foot, apart from cosmetic issues, pain due to transfer metatarsalgia as well as callosities along with toe deformities which lead to difficulty of using footwear are the main indications for intervention.

• Lengthening of the affected bone, either acute with grafting or gradual, is the mainstay of treatment. Gradual lengthening can be either single-stage as in callotasis, or two-stage where the primary procedure is followed by bone grafting after the length has been achieved.

• Adolescence, specifically between 12 and 15 years, is the preferred period for surgical intervention in these cases.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:15-23. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200087