Webbed toes

Syndactyly, a condition that causes webbed or fused toes or fingers, is a birth abnormality. Researchers need to understand precisely why webbed digits develop. In some cases, however, there is a definite genetic cause.  In rare cases, the fingers or toes may be connected by bone.

What are the causes?

A child’s hand initially forms as a paddle while developing in the womb. The hand begins to split and forms fingers around the 6th and 7th week of pregnancy. This process is not completed successfully in the case of webbed fingers, leading to digits that are fused.

Webbing of the fingers and toes mostly occurs at random and for no reason. It’s less commonly the result of an inherited trait. Webbing can also be related to genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome and Apert syndrome. Both syndromes are genetic disorders that can cause abnormal growth of the bones in the hands.

What are the treatment options?

In most cases, it is possible to correct webbed toes surgically, and this usually occurs between the ages of 12 and 18 months before full development has happened. It is best to fix webbed toes before they can cause any joint malformation.

A doctor will usually order an X-ray or ultrasound of the webbed area to determine exactly which structures it involves and the best surgical approach.

They may also order blood tests and chromosomal tests to check whether the webbing relates to another condition, or is syndromic, particularly if a child has other physical signs of a genetic syndrome.

The exact surgical procedure to correct webbed toes depends on the severity of the webbing and the structures it involves. To get information about constipation and related drugs.

Surgery

Every case of webbed fingers or toes is different, but they’re always treated with surgery. Surgery is performed under general anesthesia, which means your child will be given a combination of medications to put them to sleep.

Cutting the webbing in this way will help to prevent the scarring from interfering with healthy growth and development. If any structures other than the skin are fused, the surgeon will carefully work to divide them as they make the zigzag cuts.

The surgeon will sometimes stitch skin grafts, or transplanted pieces of healthy skin, over the top of the exposed wounds to protect them as they heal. They will then wrap layers of bandages around the affected area. Learn more about sexual frustration and FUPA.

I am a medical student. I researched on webbed toes.

Writer name:

                         Ifrah Khalid