About

This blog is about macrodactyly, a rare condition affecting the feet and the hands.

It is still under costruction, but if you know information that could be helpful, please, contact us:

macrodactyly@campingmargherita.com

Thanks a lot!

Words in italics are explained in the K.I.S.S. Section (still under construction and continuosly being updated)

A few hints about the condition

Macro means larger than what is considered normal; pedal macrodactyly is a condition where the toe on a foot is growing more quickly than the other normally growing toes. It is a rare congenital disease, which means that you are born with it, although it doesn’t seem to run in families. Because the toe is larger than the others, it has extra fibrous fatty tissue on the bottom (the plantar part of the toe, causing it to curl upwards, the dorsal or top.)

Macrodactyly falls into one of two types: static or progressive, the most common type. Patients with static macrodactyly have larger toes (or toe) when they are born. It then continues to grow proportionally to the other toes. The other type, progressive, the toe grows faster than it should, given the growth pattern of the child. The condition can occur on one foot only, on both feet, and it can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Macrodacytly isn’t necessarily associated with any other type of deformity, although it can be found in people with some types of syndromes, such as Proteus syndrome, Banayan-Riley-Ruvalcabe, Maffuccin, Ollier’s disease, and Milroy’s disease.

True macrodactyly must be distinguished from other forms of enlarged digits that are a result of tumours, inflammation and other specific tissue dysplasias such as hemangiomas, arterovenous shunts, congenital lymphedema, lipomas etc.
The confirmation of macrodactyly, obviously, is made radiographically.

Although the cause of macrocactyly isn’t known, there are theories, which include one hypothesis of a defect in a cell that causes certain areas of the body to become supersensitive to growth. Another theory is that it may be caused by an interaction of genetic and environmental factors. There may be hemangiomas, which are benign (noncancerous) tumors made of a mass of blood vessels. These may also cause enlargement of the toes. Another cause could be damage in the nerves, causing rapid overgrowth of the area.

When the affected toes of children are examined, it is seen that the subcutaneous fat, the fat just below the skin, looks like adult fat, not a child’s. As well, all the elements of the toe are larger (the tendons, nerves, blood vessels, fat, nails, skin and the bones in the toe. The skin on the affected toe is thicker than normal and the toe feels rubbery and soft.

Treatment for the disorder depends on several issues, particularly, if the toe or toes are causing pain or disability.