Webbed toes are one of the most common anatomical differences seen in newborns. The medical term for webbed digits is “With syncytosis.” The cause may be hereditary, hereditary, or unknown.
Webbed toes may not affect function or activity level, but if the condition limits activity or causes discomfort, it can be corrected surgically. It may also be corrected for cosmetic reasons.
In this article, we'll look at webbed toes and what you can do to fix them.
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What causes webbed toes?
As the fetus develops in the womb, the fingers and toes become fused until about 6 to 8 weeks of pregnancy. Then the tissue connecting the fingers begins to die, which in most cases causes the fingers to separate. However, in some fetuses, tissue may remain and cause webbed toes or fingers.
Webbed toes can be caused by congenital conditions. This means that we don't know what happens or causes it during fetal development.
Up to 40% of babies born with syndactyly have a genetic condition that causes it. This condition may be caused by a genetic change that is new to the affected person (de novo) or a genetic mutation inherited from a parent.
Some of these genetic changes appear to have no effect other than webbed numbers. In other cases, webbed fingers may result from a genetic condition that has many other effects.
Webbed toes can be caused by Apert syndrome, a rare genetic abnormality that affects the bones. This disease is usually caused by mutations (genetic changes) that occur in the fetus rather than being inherited from parents. However, people with Apert syndrome can pass the condition on to their offspring.
Bardet-Biedl syndrome is a genetic disorder that usually affects vision but is also associated with syndactyly. About 9% of children with Down syndrome (a chromosomal disorder) also have webbed toes.
How common is webbed toe?
Webbed fingers or toes affect about 1 in 2,500 newborns. Webbed toes are the second most common congenital (present at birth) limb difference. It is found about twice as often in men than in women, and is more likely to occur in white babies than in other races.
In some ancient and modern cultures, webbed toes have spiritual associations. This may be considered a sign of good luck, divinity, or a special connection to the natural world. In folklore, webbed toes are considered to have magical abilities that protect against evil spirits, heal, or cast spells.
Types of Webbed Toes
Over the years, researchers have classified webbed toes in a number of ways, based on the toe involved, the tissue to which it is fused, and even genetics. The basic categories based on type and extent of fused toes are:
- simply and collectively: Webbing is formed by soft tissues such as skin, tendons, and ligaments.
- Complexity Complexity: Some bones are connected, and some or all of the toes may be affected.
- Complicated by syndactyly: Additional bone tissue is formed, and there may be abnormalities in tendons or ligaments.
A band of skin between the second and third toes (zygodactyly) is the most common form of fusion. The second most common form is webbed skin between the fourth and fifth toes.
Do you need webbed toe correction?
Children with webbed toes may not need treatment if the webbed toes do not affect mobility. However, in some cases, webbed toes can affect function and balance and can usually be corrected through surgery.
Surgery is also an option if you have concerns about the appearance of your feet. There is no other treatment for webbed toes.
webbed toe surgery
If surgery is the treatment of choice for children, it is usually performed when children are between 1 and 2 years of age. This reduces the chance of developing joint deformities and lowers the risk of anesthesia, which is higher in young children.
Surgery can also be performed on adults, but it may be more complicated and recovery may take longer.
Surgical methods vary depending on the complexity of the union. If only the skin and soft tissue are connected, the surgeon can simply divide the skin into a “Z” shape. A skin graft taken from another part of the body may be used to completely cover the wound.
If more than one toe is involved, your healthcare provider may recommend a series of surgeries rather than addressing all the fusions at once.
Sometimes scar tissue grows between the toes, a condition called “web creep.” A second surgery can correct this problem. Children who have surgery before they are one year old are more likely to develop spider web deformity.
After surgery, your healthcare provider will place a cast on your foot. The cast will be removed within a few weeks and replaced with a brace until your foot heals. If needed, physical therapy may help with recovery.
Living with webbed toes
If you decide not to correct webbed toes because the webbing is minimal, there are a few considerations to take into account.
- Avoid shoes that put pressure on the fused area and choose your shoes carefully.
- In situations where people tend to go barefoot, children may feel embarrassed or self-conscious about their toes. Work with your child to address social discomfort.
summary
Webbed toes and fingers are one of the most common anatomical differences in newborns. The cause may be unknown or genetic. Some genetic causes may be inherited. Fusion can be corrected through surgery, which is usually performed on children between the ages of 1 and 2 years.
In mild cases where only the skin is fused, surgery may not be necessary other than for cosmetic reasons. The surgery can be relatively simple or more complex depending on the nature of the webbing, which involves the skin, skin and other soft tissues, and sometimes bones, ligaments and tendons.