Brachymetatarsia: Having abnormally short toes

Thanks to Facebook, I finally figured out why one of my toes (the fourth one) is actually smaller than my pinky. 😍

It turns out I have brachymetatarsia, a condition where the metatarsal bone is just too short, which basically stunts the growth of the toe attached to it during childhood.
I spent my whole life thinking my cousin and I were some kind of weird outliers, but apparently, it’s not that rare—people are just too embarrassed to talk about it.
After digging around on Google, I saw some incredible surgical results, and honestly, now I really want it done.
Does anyone know where or who performs this kind of surgery here in the States? Maybe at the Mayo Clinic? And what kind of damage are we talking about cost-wise? I see Americans throwing around figures like $10,000 🙄

I’ve sent out at least five inquiries to some of the top specialists in the country, and I haven't heard a single peep from any of them—not a word back, nothing. 😍
Is this just pure laziness? Is it actually that much of a struggle to type a simple response, or are they just too busy playing office to bother replying since January 25th? 😉
Looks like I'm going to have to fly all the way to the States to actually get this sorted out.
That’s a $2,000 hit per finger.

Update:
I just heard back from a private clinic:
We don't perform this specific procedure (lengthening the metatarsal bone in a single stage) at our outpatient facility. It’s actually quite a rare surgery; typically, it’s handled over at the Mayo Clinic, where they lengthen the bone using external fixator traction.

From what I've been reading on various US medical sites, it turns out the number of people dealing with this isn't actually that small. What’s really striking is that alongside the physical issue with the toe, about 90% of people suffer some kind of psychological toll because of the embarrassment. They constantly hide behind closed-toe shoes, use bandages to mask the toe, or even feel too ashamed to show it to their own doctor. Some people have even made radical decisions like toe amputation, because having four toes feels less problematic than dealing with that one "ugly" fifth one.
Personally, I spent my entire adolescence struggling with the same thing, and while I eventually grew out of the deep shame of it, it still absolutely drives me crazy in the summer when I feel people staring at my feet while I'm wearing flip-flops.🙂 Because of all that, I lived most of my life convinced that my relative and I were the only two people on the planet with this defect—until I stumbled upon Facebook groups filled with people who weren't afraid to share their struggles with the world.
So, if anyone else comes across this topic and is dealing with the exact same issue, please reach out.

Does anyone else here deal with this kind of deformity, or perhaps know someone who does? I’m curious if anyone has firsthand experience with the surgical side of things, or if you find yourselves dealing with bouts of pain from it occasionally?
I've lived with these toe issues for as long as I can remember; they've never really caused me any trouble or discomfort. However, I recently made an appointment with an orthopedic specialist at the Mayo Clinic because I was concerned about my flat feet, and during the exam, the doctor pointed out this specific deformity. He mentioned that surgery is an option if it ever starts causing me issues, so I'm just starting to weigh my options. If anyone has gone through something similar or has any insight to share, I would truly appreciate any information you could provide. 🙂

Book !!! Finally, an answer to my eternal question: what on earth is actually going on with my foot?!?! I have never once received a real explanation, other than being told there is just nothing that can be done. :/ Has anyone come across any new research or insights lately? Is anyone in the US even attempting to tackle this specific "issue"... because it’s not just about how unsightly it looks—it's reached the point where I can't even wear sandals without feeling everyone's eyes burning into my feet, and honestly, the sandals themselves don't even look right anymore (or maybe that's just in my head?)—but more importantly, my foot starts aching after walking for any length of time. And high heels? Forget about it... I wouldn't even dream of it since I can't stand in them for more than an hour. Maybe there is some actual information to be found at a place like the Mayo Clinic, or perhaps through a private practice run by Dr. Smith? Anyone know anything? Please? Thanks !!!!

Like I mentioned before, they’re working on a Salisbury using external fixators. It’s a long road to recovery—you really have to plan for about six months on crutches.
There is a super active group over on Facebook where you can find tons of photos and firsthand experiences.