Correction of hammer toe with an extended release of the metatarsophalangeal joint

• Published in: Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume Vol. 84; no. 7; pp. 986 - 990
• Main Authors: DHUKARAM, V, HOSSAIN, S, SAMPATH, J, BARRIE, J. L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery 01-09-2002; British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery
• Edition: British volume
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Foot Deformities, Acquired - surgery; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Metatarsophalangeal Joint - surgery; Middle Aged; Orthopedic surgery; Pain Measurement; Retrospective Studies; Statistics, Nonparametric; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Treatment Outcome; Human; Corrective surgery; Deformation; Prognosis; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Metatarsophalangeal joint; Lower limb; Orthopedic surgery; Treatment; Disease of the foot; Soft tissue; Technique; Hammer toe; Release
• ISSN: 0301-620X; 2049-4394; 2044-5377; 2049-4408
• DOI: 10.1302/0301-620X.84B7.0840986

Between March 1995 and January 2000 we reviewed retrospectively 84 patients with hammer-toe deformity (99 feet; 179 toes) who had undergone metatarsophalangeal soft-tissue release and proximal interphalangeal arthroplasty. The median follow-up was 28 months. Patients were assessed by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Scores (AOFAS) and reviewed by independent assessors. The median AOFAS score was 83, with 87% of patients having a score of more than 60 points; 83% were satisfied and 17% were dissatisfied with the procedure. Pain at the metatarsophalangeal joint was the commonest cause of dissatisfaction, with 14% having moderate or severe pain. Only 2.5% had instability and 9% had formation of callus. There was no statistical difference for the age and gender of the patients, the number of toes operated on, associated surgery for hallux valgus or length of follow-up. Our study was based on an anatomical model and shows good results with no recurrence of deformity.