I Have A Really Large Toe!

Do you have one toe that is much, much larger than all of the others, including your big toe?

What you have is likely localized gigantism, a condition in which a certain part of the body becomes an abnormal size because of excessive growth of the anatomical structures or abnormal accumulation of substances. When it affects the fingers and toes it is called macrodactyl, an uncommon congenital condition.
Macrodactyl more commonly affects the hands than feet. Typically only one foot is affected, with no more than one digit on that foot. Often times macrodactyl coexists with syndactyl, when two toes are fused together. It is a benign condition, but will look displeasing to you and your child.
Congenital causes of the condition include:

• Kippel Trenauary Weber syndrome
• Maffucci syndrome
• macrodystrophia lipomatosa 
• neurofibromatosis
• lipoatrophic diabetes
• Proteus syndrome

In cases of acquired localized gigantism, meaning you were not born with the deformity, causes may include:

• Inflammation
• Tumors, like osteoid osteomas
• Still's disease
• Arteriovenous malformations on a limb
• Elephantiasis
• Amyloidosis
• Acromegaly

Treatment for localized gigantism and macrodactyl depends on the particular condition and may range from antibiotics, other medical therapy, and surgery to correct the anatomical deformity.
If you believe have a foot problem and do not currently see a podiatrist, call one of our six locations to make an appointment.
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Podiatrists in CT
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