Well if the doctor's say that it will not cause any functional problems then it's just a matter of opinion. I would ask what are the pro's and the con's of removing his toe. If the benefits outway the risks then go ahead.

he is a very special little boy, and if it were me then I would leave well alone if it was not causing any concern for your doctor. You could always get it removed later on in life if he feels that he wants it removed. Wait until he reaches the age for him to decide... I think its lovely!

I wouldn't get it removed, it could give him better balance

am i the only one who says get it removed? anyway being a kid is hard enough, don't want the other kids making fun of him, you know? Well best of luck and I'm glad he's okay.

Well, in my opinion, the body is made the way it is for functionality. If you add or subtract basic parts, it functions at a different level than it typically does (usually at a lesser level). Over time, you can acclimate to these changes - if you lose a finger, you learn to write a different way, for example). Your son will learn to do things WITH that toe, if you leave it. He won't have to learn to do things differently, which is easier than say losing a toe that you SHOULD have later in life. However, you have to consider things such as the need for a special shoe, as standard shoes will probably never fit - and that means every pair of shoes he ever owns. I would also consider, as vain as it is, how he will feel about it when he's older - yes, it is kind of cool to have something unusual, but kids can be very mean, and he could get picked on. You won't always be around to keep him safe, and that can be scary. In my opinion, I would suggestion you give it a lot of thought. Asking for the opinions of others can open a can of worms, but it can also help provide you with thoughts you hadn't had yet yourself, helping you make a better decision. When you're sure of your decision, I would tell your doctor "I know you said it is not a problem, but I would like it removed. What are your thoughts on when is the best time for surgery ? Before he learns to crawl/walk ? Or later when he's school-aged ?" Make a list of any questions you have - what could go wrong with the surgery, any therapy he'd need, what an age difference would mean for him post-surgey, etc. Bring it with you, and get your questions answered. If your doctor is still against doing surgery himself, ask for a recommendation from him for an orthopedic specialist.

I'm back and forth on this one... Kids can be REALLY cruel...and it might be hard to hide something like an extra toe from the vicious neighbourhood kids. Also, he will probably have to get custom shoes, which will only draw more attention. On the other hand, I imagine having a toe removed would be pretty painful. Part of me says wait until he's old enough to make the choice himself...Even if it is when he is 8 years old. That's truly a tough call...Best of luck with whatever you decide,

my great granddaughter has 6 toes on both feet. she is to days old

Just let it be. A guy on my HS baseball team had the same condition, and he played a few years in the majors with St Louis. Not a biggie. Who cares what the other kids think anyway?

I say just leave your child as is. The worst matieral harm it could do would be him needing larger shoes than he otherwise would, or at the very most a little physical therapy to walk normally. Removing it, on the other hand, has the potential to unnecessarily traumatize him. And while it's true that holding onto the extra toe coule well lead to him being traumatized later by the cruelty of his peers, it's a very important thing in life to learn to be secure in who you are, so whatever trauma came out of that could actually turn out to be constructive. If, by the time he's in his teens or so, he wants to go through the operation to get his extra appendage removed, let him. Until then, removing it would be frivolous, not to mention dangerous.

I was born with 6 toes on my right foot. I am in my mid 30's now. When I was about 2 or 3, my parents opted to have the toe removed.The surgery never took place because I got really sick when I was in the hospital and they had the WRONG toe marked on my chart for removal. Kids can be cruel. I was called a witch, said I had the mark of the devil, etc. Shoes are tricky. My left foot and right foot are different widths. Sometimes I have to buy 2 pairs of shoes in different sizes. I would definitely discuss this with your doctor. Would the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks? The risk of infection, improper healing, gait, etc.

life is hard enough, have it removed....you want the kid to wear sandals, go swimming, go skating, with out feeling self conscience. Things like that shape your personality.

Will it cause problems getting shoes later on? If so I would say that it should be removed....kids can be cruel enough when it's that you have red hair or wear glasses without your baby having an unusual physical extra for them to pick up on.

My daughter was born on Feb 9/08 (not long after the original post) she was born with a 6th small toe on her left foot. we have consulted a plastic surgeon and have decided to have it removed. it does make that one foot wider at the toes. we couldnt even get her winter boots this year because they just dont fit. also being a girl, i dont want her to miss out on the great shoes out there. I am very interested to know what you decided to do. if it was removed how was the recovery etc.

Leave it alone! How would you determine which big toe to remove? If you got the wrong one, it would mess up his/her balance for the rest of their life!

If your doctors think it's best (or even just okay) to leave it, I suggest you listen to them. Your child can always opt to have it removed, but you can't bring it back again later. http://www.twilighttimes.com/oct04/c_Russo26.html

remove the toe, you are your childs best advocate so follow your gut feelings

Maybe there have been too many medical mistakes in my awareness that prompts the answer:let it be.

I think you should do what you feel is the best thing for your child.

If it were me, I would have it removed. More for vanity I geuss. But kids are mean enough without extra ammo.

Believe it or not but I too was born with 6 toes, extra big toe. I had it removed. However once it is removed u need to have ur child wear a brace to keep the toes straights. I'm 17 and am dealing with this problem now. This "mutation" of mine has not stopped me from having a normal life. I'm on the track team crosscountry team crew team martial arts for 11 years and after college I'll be joining the navy under the seal chalenge. Good luck, but don't worry.

From a practicality standpoint, I say have it removed. THe child will never be able to wear a pair of shoes. If he does manage to find one pair that he can wear, he is likely to be in some SERIOUS pain. Feet have more nerve endings than you can possibly imagine. Then, you are in for surgery anyway, because the boy cannot wear shoes in hardly any public place, which is the law. Why not skip all the pain, and get the (inevitable) operation over with? +5