Webbed toes is the common name for a condition called syndactyly in the feet, which happens when two or more toes are joined together by skin and soft tissue. This is normal in many animals, such as birds like ducks, amphibians like frogs, and some mammals like kangaroos. In humans, this condition is rare and occurs in about 1 out of every 2,000 to 2,500 babies born. Most often, the second and third toes are joined, and the skin and tissue connecting them may cover part or nearly all of the toes.
Cause
The exact reason for this condition is not known. Sometimes, close family members may have the same condition. Other times, no other family members have it. The scientific name for this condition is syndactyly, which includes both webbed fingers and webbed toes. Syndactyly happens when cell death, a natural process that occurs during the development of a baby in the womb, does not happen completely or at all. Webbed toes most often occur in these situations:
- Syndactyly or syndactyly that runs in families
- Down syndrome
This condition is also linked to several rare disorders, including:
- Aarskog–Scott syndrome
- Acrocallosal syndrome
- Apert syndrome
- Bardet–Biedl syndrome
- CACNA1C-related disorders
- Carpenter syndrome
- Cornelia de Lange syndrome
- Edwards syndrome
- Jackson–Weiss syndrome
- Fetal hydantoin syndrome
- Miller syndrome
- Pfeiffer syndrome
- Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome
- Timothy syndrome
- Ectodermal dysplasia
- Klippel–Feil syndrome
Diagnosis
This condition is usually found when a baby is born. If other symptoms are present, it may suggest a specific syndrome. Doctors determine if a syndrome is present by looking at family history, medical history, and a physical exam. Webbed toes are also called "twin toes," "duck toes," "turkey toes," "tree toes," and "tiger toes."
The severity of the condition can be different. Most cases affect the second and third toes, but any number of toes may be involved. In some cases, the toes are partially joined, while in others, the webbing may reach the nails. In rare cases, the entire toes, including the nails and bones, may be completely fused together.
Treatment
Webbed toes can be separated through surgery. This procedure is an example of a type of body change.
Like all surgeries, there are possible risks, such as problems during or after the operation. However, if webbed toes are not treated, they rarely cause issues other than appearance. Because of this, many doctors do not suggest surgery for most cases.
The final results depend on how much the toes are webbed and the shape of the bones beneath the skin. Scarring is common, and skin grafts may be needed. In rare cases, nerve damage could cause a loss of feeling in the toes or a tingling feeling. Some people also report that the webbing may partially return over time. Skin grafts used to fill the space between the toes can create extra scars where the skin is taken from.
Notable cases
- Dan Aykroyd – Canada, actor
- Tricia Helfer – Canada, actress
- Jacqui Hurley – Ireland, sports broadcaster
- Ashton Kutcher – United States, actor
- Thomas Robert Malthus – England, political economist and demographer
- Danielle Panabaker – United States, actress
- Conan O'Brien – United States, comedian
- Tim Plester – UK, actor, playwright and filmmaker
- Joseph Stalin – Soviet Union, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
- Javier Milei – Argentina, President