Is Toe Shortening Really Necessary?

Asking if toe shortening is really necessary may seem like a strange question for someone who wants to have it done, and certainly if a medical situation calls for it, one should probably go ahead. If it does represent a treatment for a medical condition, insurance may pay part or all of the cost. It done strictly for cosmetic purposes however, insurance companies will seldom pay for the procedure.

While toe shortening could apply to any toe, it's usually the second toe, or the second toe and the third toe that are the source of the problem. Some wouldn't be caught dead walking around in bare feet or wearing flip-flops because their second toe or second and third toes hang out beyond the big toe, and they consider it unsightly. It isn't just looks however. If any toe is excessively long, it can make shoe fitting a problem. While the problem can sometimes be solved by wearing shoes a size or two larger, many including most women, would prefer not to go that route.

There are many doctors who will advise against toe shortening, especially if more than one toe is involved, unless there is a sound medical reason to have it done. The American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society has come out strongly against toe shortening for purely cosmetic reasons, citing that risks outweigh the benefits. Only if a person is in pain, or the normal functioning of their feet is impaired, does the Society agree that a shortening procedure may be the proper thing to do.

There Are Risks Involved - What are the risks? For starters, the foot contains 33 bones. Those bones, and the accompanying muscles, are accompanied by a number of tendons and ligaments. Any surgery on the foot carries with it the possibility of damage to a tendon, ligament, or muscle, that might be difficult to repair, and the person having the foot surgery could in some cases end up in worse condition than he or she started with.

It is also harder for the foot to drain fluids after an operation, meaning the chances for complications are somewhat higher than for many other types of operations. Recovery time is also slow, as weight cannot be put on the foot for some time, even longer than if one had simple suffered a broken toe. Some of those who advertise toe shortening services, often make the procedure sound simple and straightforward. Foot surgery can be simple in some cases, but it seldom is straightforward, and the more toes one decides to have shortened, the more complex the situation gets.

Simple, But Not Simple - What's involved in a toe shortening procedure? Typically the bones of the second and third joints have to be removed. It sounds simple and straightforward, but remember the toes are attached to the foot, which is attached to the ankle. Bones don't always heal properly, and there is always the chance that the procedure, as simple as it may sound, is not performed properly. A podiatrist will perform the operation, but many refuse to do so for cosmetic reasons alone. All too many though are happy to perform cosmetic procedures. As a minimum however, a foot and ankle specialist should be consulted along with a podiatrist before having the procedure done. After the consultations, and better two or three than one, the patient should think over the possible risks and consequences before going ahead. Toe shortening surgery certainly isn't major surgery, but any complications that arise might not only be experienced in the feet but in other parts of the body as well. Proceed with caution. Your feet aren't alone in the world; they're attached to the rest of you.