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General health

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Original poster

DD has 2 toes joined on each foot...

24 replies

Racers · 28/10/2005 21:59

She's 4.5 months and is due to see someone in the Plastic Surgery department at the hospital in January. Does anyone have any experience of this sort of thing? The toes seem to be seperate in terms of the bone, but the skin is joined together half way up, iyswim! I'm worried already about what they might suggest is needed! Any advice/experiences would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance

OP posts:

princesspeahead · 28/10/2005 22:03

poor you! don't know anything about it but if the bones are separated it sounds like just a small amount of plastic surgery required - have you googled? (although this can often be less reassuring than not IYSWIM)...

moondog · 28/10/2005 22:04

Should be dead simple to deal with.A lot of my family have this oddly enough, although not enough to warrant surgery.

mears · 28/10/2005 22:04

My DS3 has toes like that on both feet (3rd and 4th toes) but we decided to leave it. I will be interested to hear what they say about it. I think leaving it may have affected the way he walks but am not sure. He is 15 yrs old now BTW.

Sorry have no practical advice.

moondog · 28/10/2005 22:04

Assuming 2nd and 3rd like us???

JanH · 28/10/2005 22:05

BBC Health - webbed fingers and toes - it is quite common apparently.

If there isn't enough skin to cover the wound caused by separation they might need to do a graft. Good luck anyway

KBear · 28/10/2005 22:06

My cousin had this and the toes were separated in a short op when he was a baby. He's a strapping 30 year old firefighter now so no long term ill effects!!

Good luck with your DD. Hope your doctor can reassure you in more medical terms than me but hope this helps!

mears · 28/10/2005 22:06

Just checked - it is his 2nd and 3rd. He says they don't bother him at all. The right foot is worse than the left.

JanH · 28/10/2005 22:08

mears, lol that you remembered the wrong toes. I would have too

Original poster

Racers · 28/10/2005 22:11

No haven't googled - turned first to MN! Might try if feeling brave later... Of course, have known about it since day 1 but have just got referral letter through and so have started worrying about what we might have to decide to do etc. Poor love, it looks so sweet and I'd rather leave it but that might be more cruel as she might have to have something done when she's older/more aware. I'm sure they'll go through all this but would like some advance warning from anyone with experience!

OP posts:

jenthehen · 28/10/2005 22:12

My neice (5yrs) and brother in law both have this. They have not had surgery and not suffered any problems with it. When she was born the first thing he said was "well she's definately mine"!!

Original poster

Racers · 28/10/2005 22:17

Oo blimey, lots of posts since I started my reply to princesspeahead - thanks guys! I think it's her 2/3 toes but would have to check! Funny - she rarely wears socks for more than about 5 seconds so I see them all the time, but I couldn't be sure which they are Thanks JanH, off to read that now...

I may be on here again in January trying to make a decision [worried emoticon]

Thanks all again

OP posts:

Easy · 29/10/2005 18:37

Racers, juist seen this, sorry been away to my mums.

My ds now 6 was born with all toes and some fingers joined.

He had surgery to seperate fingers when he was 4 months, but the consensus of opinion is to leave the toes alone, as it doesn't affect his ability to walk or anything.

I realise that it might be a little bit different for a girl (open toed sandals and stuff later) but the problem is that if they surgically seperate, then the scar tissue can heal together anyway, so it all has to be done again.

As one who has had LOTS of surgery in my life, I'd be inclined to leave the toes, unless it does cause some structural prob with balance.

I can let you have photo's of my ds's feet so you can compare, if you want more help with this.

Either post here ar CAT me.

cod · 29/10/2005 18:39

Message withdrawn

gigglinggoblin · 29/10/2005 18:52

hi racers, my x had his 2nd/3rd toes joined and when ds1 was born his were the same. ds2 has 2/3 and 4/5 joined (3/4 are separate). i have never considered them having surgery and neither of them are bothered, infact they have not even mentioned it (they are 6 and 5). if they want surgery later, i will let them have it but until they ask i dont intend to do anything.

i remember how much of a celebrity you became at primary school if you had to have an operation, i was always very jealous that i never managed to break any bones or anything (might have felt different if i had of course)

spooklymieow · 29/10/2005 18:54

My DS has his 2nd and 3rd toes joined on both feet, never been mentioned to us about having surgery on them, they have never bothered him.

Original poster

Racers · 29/10/2005 19:44

Thanks everyone for your replies, and Easy, for your kind offer of photos. If you really don't mind, it might be helpful for us to see a photo or two - I'm new to all this and haven't used the CAT system but I think I have the option enabled so if you can CAT me, that would be brilliant, thanks

My inclination is to leave well alone if there's no medical/developmental reason to have surgery. I certainly wouldn't do anything for cosmetic reasons - her toes are just as gorgeous as the rest of her! My thoughts on such things are that I'd prefer to let her decide what to do when she's older.

LOL at celebrity status goblin! I know what you mean, I never had anything interesting done... until I had to go in for emergency c-section 4.5 months ago!

OP posts:

Furball · 29/10/2005 20:14

I've got 2nd and 3rd toes 'webbed' though only half way up on both feet. My mum has the same right up to the top on the same toes on both her feet. I didn't realise it was a) a common occurence and b) anything could be done. It was just the way we were. The only time I really noticed it was when those socks came in with the toe bit like gloves, oooh they hurt!

Original poster

Racers · 29/10/2005 20:27

Never heard of such socks! Sounds like the 80's..? I was around, just have always been blissfully unaware of fashions!

Everyone has said to us that it is hereditary but neither of us have it and no-one in the families either so it must have skipped a few generations or just started with us.

It sounds like people have no trouble with their feet, which is good news of course. Thanks for the reassuring messages.

OP posts:

ggglimpopo · 29/10/2005 20:33

Message withdrawn

bubblepop · 29/10/2005 21:37

Hi, ive got webbed toes! both feet, 2nd & 3rd toes,joined halfway up by skin, not bone. never caused me any trouble, im happy to wear open toed sandals, most people don't even notice!my sister has it too, and my dad.ive got 3 kids but none of them are blessed with it.if they did, i would'nt mind, and would definately NOT consider surgery.Anyway, its kind of quirky, and unique.

Psychobabble · 29/10/2005 21:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NewYearsRacerLution · 05/01/2006 10:07

I just thought I'd update on this as we have seen the consultant and he has confirmed that there would be no need to operate. We are much relieved! Thanks for all your replies last year.

gigglinggoblin · 05/01/2006 10:23

glad things are ok.

i have just read back what i wrote then, and my both my boys have now noticed their toes, but are very fond of them, they like being special

NewYearsRacerLution · 06/01/2006 14:50

aw bless them! I hope DD feels the same when she spots them

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