Toe Deformity Issues

Hello.

I have a question and I am hoping someone here might be able to offer some guidance.

To be honest, my pinky toes are quite unsightly. I’m talking about the fifth toe on each foot. My big toes are large, but they look fine, so I don't have an issue there.

Those little toes... they honestly feel like an afterthought. If you looked at my feet, you'd think they were just extra parts that shouldn't be there. I've noticed people staring at them more times than I can count, which has really fueled a deep insecurity about them.

The way my nails grow makes it even worse. They grow stunted, almost splitting from two different points that clash with one another. When I apply polish, I usually have to cover the entire area and then some just to make it look somewhat uniform. I also have to stick to darker colors just to hide the effect.

Looking at them now, they appear swollen. Almost like tiny, malignant tumors.

So, here is my question. Since I have wide feet—which is already a struggle because I wear a US women's size 10 or 11 and finding shoes is difficult—is it possible for a plastic surgeon or a specialist to remove those small growths without affecting my ability to walk normally or making my foot look crooked?

Wait, so you're actually telling me you'd rather just amputate your pinky toes and walk around with four on each foot rather than deal with them looking ugly?

gentlehound9 said:Wait, so you're actually telling me you'd rather just amputate your pinky toes and walk around with four on each foot rather than deal with them looking ugly?

Yes. 🤷

I've given this a lot of thought. It really started a few years ago when a friend looked at my feet and said, "Oh my God, what is THAT?" 😢 Before that, I always felt they were unattractive, but I assumed I was just being self-conscious. I rarely wore flip-flops or open sandals because of it. Then, just as I finally found the courage to wear them, he makes a comment like that... 😢

I know people would notice a missing toe, but I think that's better than them knowing exactly what's wrong...

Have you ever just considered... I don't know, not wearing open-toed shoes if they bother you that much?
I wouldn't say my own feet are hideous or anything, but I still feel awkward showing them off in public. So, I just buy sandals that have more coverage over the toes. Problem solved. No big deal.
Honestly, going through something so extreme without a legitimate reason seems like overkill. It’s not like you can just, oh, clip them off and call it a day.

gentlehound9 said:Have you ever just considered... I don't know, not wearing open-toed shoes if they bother you that much?
I wouldn't say my own feet are hideous or anything, but I still feel awkward showing them off in public. So, I just buy sandals that have more coverage over the toes. Problem solved. No big deal.
Honestly, going through something so extreme without a legitimate reason seems like overkill. It’s not like you can just, oh, clip them off and call it a day.

Well, I have thought about it, and I spent a good portion of my life wearing shoes that way. But you know how it gets during the summer—your feet just sweat so much... The less shoe, the better. I actually have these pink sandals that are gorgeous and hide my ingrown nails perfectly, but I can't wear them all the time. Is it worth dressing up just to run to the corner store?

I don't know anything about that surgery or if anyone actually does it.
I also know that people get silicone implants because of insecurities, or they get nose jobs, lip fillers, liposuction, and all sorts of things.
So why shouldn't someone just trim this little part for me?

I noticed you posted this under the world champion of stupidity category. I think that's pretty rude, considering you have no idea what it's actually like to live with fingers like those.

Beyond that, I don't see the stupidity. Jesus said, "If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off." I'm just taking Him literally.

a) that would seriously mess with your balance—think about how much it’d screw up your ability to walk or run properly...

b) hey, go vent about it over on this thread:

My sister was born with her fourth and fifth toes fused together—it’s purely genetic, since my dad had the same thing happening with his fingers—plus she had this extra growth that basically functioned like a sixth toe.
She went through a series of surgeries back in the mid-90s at a hospital in Chicago, if I remember correctly. To be honest, the results weren't exactly perfect, and she really struggled with it for a long time, especially when it came to wearing closed-toe shoes during the summer, despite being an incredibly beautiful woman. As the years passed, though, she learned to accept it, and I think she’s even reached a point where she actually "loves" her little quirk, as she calls it 🙂.

Nowadays, with how advanced cosmetic surgery has become in cities like New York or LA, I imagine there are so many more options available than there were back then. If anyone is dealing with something similar, I'd definitely suggest seeking out some professional medical advice 🙂.

No, cutting them off would be a total disaster. She’d struggle just to walk, let alone STAND...

Just get real about it. Are they really that hideous? To some people, they might actually look fine.

copperrider20 said:a) that would seriously mess with your balance—think about how much it’d screw up your ability to walk or run properly...

b) hey, go vent about it over on this thread:

a) How can I be sure? Honestly, my gait feels off already. Everything seems tilted inward. It might be because I refused to rely on those little weaklings...🤷

b) I saw that thread, but it feels like half of it is staged. Besides, you could just as easily obsess over other topics, like photos in magazines...🤷 Some people there have genuinely messed up feet, but mine are fine; it's just these damn things that bother me...🤷

Oh man, what an absolutely brutal thread title 😲 Look, you can't view things that way. Have some self-respect. Just because you think your toes look a certain way doesn't mean they actually are that ugly. I honestly think you're letting this weigh you down unnecessarily, and you should probably focus on working on that mindset instead of trying to fix your feet. I know a woman who has a pinky toe that sits almost right on top of her foot, and she rocks open-toed shoes and sandals all summer without a single complex about it.

copperfox22 said:My sister was born with her fourth and fifth toes fused together—it’s purely genetic, since my dad had the same thing happening with his fingers—plus she had this extra growth that basically functioned like a sixth toe.
She went through a series of surgeries back in the mid-90s at a hospital in Chicago, if I remember correctly. To be honest, the results weren't exactly perfect, and she really struggled with it for a long time, especially when it came to wearing closed-toe shoes during the summer, despite being an incredibly beautiful woman. As the years passed, though, she learned to accept it, and I think she’s even reached a point where she actually "loves" her little quirk, as she calls it 🙂.

Nowadays, with how advanced cosmetic surgery has become in cities like New York or LA, I imagine there are so many more options available than there were back then. If anyone is dealing with something similar, I'd definitely suggest seeking out some professional medical advice 🙂.

There is no way I could ever love this. And calling it a "quirk" feels wrong because I always associate it with this struggle. :/

I'm not sure where else to turn. I wanted to ask here, since there are people who actually understand...

placidjackal36 said:No, cutting them off would be a total disaster. She’d struggle just to walk, let alone STAND...

Just get real about it. Are they really that hideous? To some people, they might actually look fine.

What kind of issues? Could you explain that to me?

They are. When I mentioned it to my boyfriend a while ago, he said they weren't, but that's just what people say to comfort you. I noticed him looking at them much more often after that. Perhaps I shouldn't have brought it up...

I said the same thing to my sister, but she didn't take me seriously at all. She just thinks I'm being funny.

stormyheron4 said:Oh man, what an absolutely brutal thread title 😲 Look, you can't view things that way. Have some self-respect. Just because you think your toes look a certain way doesn't mean they actually are that ugly. I honestly think you're letting this weigh you down unnecessarily, and you should probably focus on working on that mindset instead of trying to fix your feet. I know a woman who has a pinky toe that sits almost right on top of her foot, and she rocks open-toed shoes and sandals all summer without a single complex about it.

I mentioned that people have actually told me to my face that they look terrible. It’s possible I am overthinking things—since I tend to overthink everything—but I don't know how to stop. They are just there. No matter how much I tell myself it doesn't matter, one single glance at them destroys everything I've tried to build up...

Question: Would you find a woman like that attractive, even with messed-up toes?

placidjackal36 said:No, cutting them off would be a total disaster. She’d struggle just to walk, let alone STAND...

Just get real about it. Are they really that hideous? To some people, they might actually look fine.

It doesn't necessarily mean amputation; maybe some kind of reconstruction 😉

stormyheron4 said:Oh man, what an absolutely brutal thread title 😲 Look, you can't view things that way. Have some self-respect. Just because you think your toes look a certain way doesn't mean they actually are that ugly. I honestly think you're letting this weigh you down unnecessarily, and you should probably focus on working on that mindset instead of trying to fix your feet. I know a woman who has a pinky toe that sits almost right on top of her foot, and she rocks open-toed shoes and sandals all summer without a single complex about it.

If something is ugly, then it's ugly. And there's nothing wrong with saying: "No thanks, I don't want it, I don't like it!" 🙂

wiredharbor22 said:There is no way I could ever love this. And calling it a "quirk" feels wrong because I always associate it with this struggle. :/

I'm not sure where else to turn. I wanted to ask here, since there are people who actually understand...

What kind of issues? Could you explain that to me?

They are. When I mentioned it to my boyfriend a while ago, he said they weren't, but that's just what people say to comfort you. I noticed him looking at them much more often after that. Perhaps I shouldn't have brought it up...

I said the same thing to my sister, but she didn't take me seriously at all. She just thinks I'm being funny.

I’m not telling you that you have to love it—I completely get where you're coming from... I have something myself that I want to get rid of so badly, but I can hide it pretty easily 🙂...it just weighs on me too much😬

I honestly don't know where else to turn. I wanted to check here since there are people who actually understand what this is like.

Have you thought about checking out one of the specialized clinics?

copperfox22 said:I’m not telling you that you have to love it—I completely get where you're coming from... I have something myself that I want to get rid of so badly, but I can hide it pretty easily 🙂...it just weighs on me too much😬

I honestly don't know where else to turn. I wanted to check here since there are people who actually understand what this is like.

Have you thought about checking out one of the specialized clinics?

Which ones?

The reality is I just don't have the funds for something like this, so I'd have to save up. My father would probably send me... somewhere if I brought this up to him. I'm also wondering if health insurance might cover it? My friends are debating how things like ear surgery or breast reduction can be covered by insurance. I'd imagine this falls into that same category...

wiredharbor22 said:Which ones?

The reality is I just don't have the funds for something like this, so I'd have to save up. My father would probably send me... somewhere if I brought this up to him. I'm also wondering if health insurance might cover it? My friends are debating how things like ear surgery or breast reduction can be covered by insurance. I'd imagine this falls into that same category...

I honestly wouldn't know. It's likely pretty expensive, though saving up for an "essential" isn't exactly a huge struggle 😁....(okay, fine, I'm joking).

I think the first logical step would be seeing an orthopedic specialist. If you want, I can look into specific options regarding the TMJ and let you know (I only know one top-tier pediatric orthopedist, though). They should be able to point you in the right direction for next steps.

copperfox22 said:I honestly wouldn't know. It's likely pretty expensive, though saving up for an "essential" isn't exactly a huge struggle 😁....(okay, fine, I'm joking).

I think the first logical step would be seeing an orthopedic specialist. If you want, I can look into specific options regarding the TMJ and let you know (I only know one top-tier pediatric orthopedist, though). They should be able to point you in the right direction for next steps.

That is kind of you. Once I know the costs and potential risks, I could weigh my options better. Looking at it again (this right one feels worse), I just hate it. Still, I'd rather spend a significant amount of money on a beautiful trip that stays with me forever, than on these little aches...

wiredharbor22 said:That is kind of you. Once I know the costs and potential risks, I could weigh my options better. Looking at it again (this right one feels worse), I just hate it. Still, I'd rather spend a significant amount of money on a beautiful trip that stays with me forever, than on these little aches...

well, they’ll leave a lasting impression too, I suppose.🤣

Alright, honey, just let me know. There's always a way to fix things 🙂 (or so my girlfriend tells me when I start acting like a total idiot 🤣).

copperfox22 said:well, they’ll leave a lasting impression too, I suppose.🤣

Alright, honey, just let me know. There's always a way to fix things 🙂 (or so my girlfriend tells me when I start acting like a total idiot 🤣).

That’s exactly what I want—to only have memories left of them. 😉

Thank you!

Actually, Endymion has me worried now. He usually knows exactly what he's talking about. :/