Brachymetatarsia is a condition in which one of the long bones of the foot (metatarsal) is short relative to the others.  This condition can be congenital (born with) or acquired (trauma).  In the congenital form the 4th metatarsal is most often affected and it may be one foot or both feet.  Typically this condition leads to problems such as painful calluses in the ball of the foot due to abnormal pressure when walking, pain from shoes in the short digit and for some patients is aesthetically displeasing.  Shoe modification and custom inserts may offer pain relief and surgical correction is possible when these fail.  For additional information click the link below.