Brachymetatarsia or hypoplastic metatarsal is a condition in which there is one or more abnormally short metatarsals.[1] This condition may result due to a congenital defect or it may be an acquired condition.[1] It most frequently involves the fourth metatarsal. If it involves the first metatarsal, the condition is known as Morton's syndrome.[1] Treatment is via a number of differing surgical procedures.[1]
Congenital causes include: Aarskog syndrome and Apert syndrome among many other well acquired causes includes trauma.[1]
Brachymetatarsia is found to occur 25 times more frequently in women than men with rates of between (1 in 1820) and (1 in 4586), respectively.[1]