geek ramblings syndactyly forums

Discussions about syndactyly (webbed toes and fingers)

1. 

   moondog
   Member

   Please, anyone who wants to discuss their webbed toes, please feel free. I love to discuss growing up with webbed toes. I did and I'm okay with it.

   Posted 3 years ago #
2. 

   Cheeseslice
   Member

   Hi, I'm new to this forum. I stumbled across this whilst looking for info on syndactyly. My son is 4 1/2 months old and was born with his big toe and second toe on his right foot joined. We have an appointment with the paediatrician on Friday to discuss whether it will need surgery. I can't find any info on whether this will affect his walking, it seems more common to have the third and second toes fused and that doesn't require surgery.
   I am hoping he will not have to have any surgery and would love to hear how others with this have felt growing up. What helped you to accept and enjoy having webbed toes? What parental messages work? etc. I'd like him to appreciate difference and be proud of everything about him. Any suggestions appreciated.

   Posted 3 years ago #
3. 

   Dougal
   Head Janitor

   Cheeseslice, from what I've read over the years, it's most common in the second+third digits, but as far as I know, it can happen in any combination, as you see in your son. Hopefully this won't affect his balance and walking. I figure if he can bend the knuckles of the toes, it probably isn't an issue (but I'm not a doctor, that's just my guess).

   If the doctors don't think he requires surgery, and you opt not to do it just for cosmetic reasons, then the most important thing is probably how you as parents address it on a day-to-day basis. While your son is growing up, if you display an attitude of "hey, your toes are different from mommy and daddy's, that's neat!", rather than "that's weird, huh?", it will probably help him develop a healthy attitude about it for himself.

   I never had a problem with my toes, but in my case it's probably because it's subtle enough that most people won't notice unless I point it out to them. That, plus boys growing up don't usually spend a lot of time looking at other boys feet anyhow. I can understand how girls might be a little more self-conscious about it, since they're likely to spend time painting toenails or looking at cute sandals, toe-socks, and such. And even with boys, if the toes are more obviously fused (I assume in your son's case that it's pretty obvious), it probably becomes more of an issue.

   Personally, I'd suggest that if surgery isn't necessary, then avoid it and try to foster a positive attitude in your child. But if one day your child becomes uncomfortable with this difference due to teasing, be prepared to deal with the possibility of cosmetic surgery, and support your child in that, as well.

   Posted 3 years ago #
4. 

   Cheeseslice
   Member

   Thanks Dougal, we saw the orthopedic paediatrician yesterday who felt it would not affect his walking as he has plenty of flexibility in the toes, so a big sigh of relief there! He has referred us to the plastic surgeon for a consult but we will not be choosing surgery for only cosmetic reasons. It'll be good to know what's involved in surgery if he requests this when he is older. Maybe he will want to wear flip flops! It is quite obvious and he may be teased, but kids will always find something to make fun of. Thanks for the advice, we'll be very positive about it. Reflexologists believe it to be a sign of genius!

   Posted 3 years ago #
5. 

   Barefooter
   Member

   Hey everyone...

   Im another guy with webbed toes! 2nd and 3rd on both feet and luv em... Will never even think of getting them seperated! I walk barefoot most of the time, and always get positive remarks! Cheeseslice, ive never seen a webbing of the 1st and 2nd toe... Will you please send me a pic... My email is raukie05@yahoo.com! I started a group, would like if you guys would join, dougal espesially you...

   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/coolfeetclub

   Great forums, helping people with this! Keep well...

   Posted 3 years ago #
6. 

   rugby1717
   Member

   My parents also had an option to correct my webbed toes when I was a baby, and they didn't, and I've always been angry that they didn't when they had the chance.

   Posted 2 years ago #
7. 

   mereth
   Member

   I have had mostly negative reactions to my webbed toes and therefore I have negative feelings. I even had a foot surgeon who brought students in (I believe not to see his work on my ingrown toenail but to look at my webbed toes) His surgery on my ingrown not only had to be redone by another surgeon, I had an infection develop in the surgery site. (don't think he was paying enough attention to the surgery I was paying him for) Who knows maybe he was a Nazi sympathizer who wanted to erradicate people with imperfect toes.

   For all my silly paranoid speculation on the foot doctor's unspoken opinions, I have spoken opinions from friends, tormentors and an ex-in-law about it being freakish.

   I am saved by despair by Mom, who assures me it is very much in my family (misery loves company) Her toes are minimally webbed you can hardly notice it. But I have an uncle in England with toes like mine that are webbed beyond the top joint (midway past the toe nails themselves)

   I just read the wikipedia line about reflexologists thinking it is a sign of genius. I think it's nonsense, but it brings a smile to my face.

   Everyone have a great spring/summer - I just bought some great sandals with partial open toes and so many straps crisscrossing you can't tell if my toes are webbed or not. Gonna get out there and enjoy the season!

   Posted 2 years ago #
8. 

   goodweb
   Member

   I think "normal" toes look wierd. I propose a new rule... all losers who care what other people think about their toes should have their web toes cut off completely. They don't deserve them.

   Posted 2 years ago #
9. 

   Tinasz
   Member

   Dear Cheeseslice:

   I will be very honest with you, I had a really hard time growing up and had my surgery at 18 years old. I am now 39 and I still have issues with it. My 8 year old son was born with webbed 2/3 the same as I was and I immediately asked for his toes to be separated but was turned down. He so far does not want them to be done but he is only 8 years old. The best thing that I can suggest is that you support him and point out how beautiful he is and how everyone has a little something because we all do. I personally in your situation having had webbed toes I would do the surgery and I would do it now. It is painful and that is why I wanted my son to have his when he was young. I believe even though they feel the pain etc. it will be less traumatic. In your case with the first and second fused I would do it. I have not found any info. on if that would affect anything but it could.

   What ever you decide will be what is right for your family and your child!!!! I know I do not have a positive story and that I had issues with it. Those issues are all about me. I even went swimming as a teenager with bandages on or with socks on. I would not let anyone see my feet, even doctors!!!! That is all about me and I would pray your son will grow up with more self esteem and be okay with who he is-:) We should not feel this way due to some slight webbing and not everyone does. I hope it never bothers my son.

   Please let us know what you decide and how your family is doing-:) The best thing we can arm our children with is self esteem!!!

   HUGS,
   Tina

   Posted 2 years ago #
10. 

    lou
    Member

    I am planning on having this surgery in a few weeks and I am getting nervous about it. If anyone has any good experiences I would love to hear them. I know it will be painful but is it worth it?

    Posted 2 years ago #
11. 

    princesscoran
    Member

    hi i am 12 years old and i am about to have my webbed toes seperated at the end of this month (september)i am nervous and excited at the same time and all my mates say that they would be scared if they had trhem seperated i am the only one inb my school with webbed feet

    Posted 2 years ago #
12. 

    princesscoran
    Member

    hi

    Posted 2 years ago #
13. 

    goldstarspeaker
    Member

    Okay okay in my other post I guess I wasn't totally remembering right. I HAVE had negative reactions from people. I've had many people I've purposely shown/told ask me why I haven't gotten it cut out. And that to me was a negative reaction because it pathologized me and presumed that I should want to be "normal." I've also had doctors comment upon it, saying they've never seen anything like it. And that's the same with the uvula hanging in the back of my throat, which is split in two; now with that it took me even MORE years to figure out that's not the norm, although I did always wonder why in cartoons with people screaming there was only one ugly tear-drop thing hanging and vibrating.

    My problem is authority. I don't give doctors or any other people (usually people I've dated who ask me why I wouldn't get it cut out) the authority to pronounce how I should live my life. At the same time, I don't mind answering people's questions by saying, "Look, I don't have a problem. It's the world around me that has a problem, always seeking and pronouncing 'normalcy.'" A major shift in attitudes is urgently needed, not because of people's reactions to others' webbed toes, but because of that tendency in general to hate each other simply because of difference.

    Peace.
    goldstarspeaker

    Posted 1 year ago #
14. 

    hopeandstrength
    Member

    I always hated my toes :full complex webbing and had surgery 1 mth ago.
    if anyone has any questions please ask!!!!!!
    i wish i had someone, anyone ! who had previously had the surgery, to talk to before my surgery!!
    :) x

    Posted 1 year ago #

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