Literature Review on Brachymetatarsia

Brachymetatarsia is a malformation characterized by an abnormal reduction in the length of 1 or more metatarsal bones. It occurs because of early closure of the growth plate of the affected metatarsal. Generally, it is caused by a congenital disorder and it usually occurs bilaterally. With a greater prevalence in females, it most often affects the fourth metatarsal, followed by the first metatarsal. Surgical treatments proposed include using external mini-fixators or bone grafts in a single step to lengthen the metatarsal. In this review, 62 scientific articles about brachymetatarsia were analyzed with key demographic and epidemiological aspects of this pathology. The prevalence of bilateral brachymetatarsia was 47%, and the female to male ratio was 10.53:1. Both these findings appear to contradict the usual data reported for brachymetatarsia. A better understanding of this disorder will enable an appropriate therapeutic approach according to the psychological and social profile of affected individuals.