Short toe syndrome, an abnormal shortening of the metatarsal bones, most often seen in the first and fourth metatarsals, may be hereditary, acquired or of medical origin. Often complicated by other signs and symptoms, short toe syndrome presents with symptoms of deformity appearing as metastatic damage or pain, and although there is pain and deformity, the main complaint is the aesthetics of the foot. Diagnosis. The accurate diagnosis of short toe syndrome is that the distance of the proximal end of the shortened metatarsal from the parabolic arc of the metatarsal head is 5 mm or greater. Treatment. (a) Non-surgical treatment Non-surgical treatment mainly includes the use of topical medication, external application to alleviate symptoms, or the use of support devices such as metatarsal pads to alleviate symptoms. Non-surgical treatment cannot solve the deformity of shortened metatarsals. (2) Surgical treatment: 1) direct incision and bone grafting to lengthen the shortened metatarsal bone; 2) gradual lengthening of the shortened metatarsal bone by external fixation brace, which requires longer treatment time.