Treatment of Lesser Toe Deformities / 대한족부족관절학회지

Lesser toe deformities such as mallet toe, hammer toe and claw toe are annoying problems not only to patients but also to orthopaedic surgeons because they are not easy to manage or treat. Though they occupy very small portion in whole body, they are notorious for unpredictable surgical results. It can make clinical results better to understand these deformities more comprehensively and to make strategic surgical plan for each target deformity.

Result of Joint Preserving Surgery Using Axial Shortening Metatarsal Osteotomy for the Treatment of Severe Hallux Valgus and Claw Toes Deformity in Advanced Rheumatoid Arthritis / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of axial shortening metatarsal osteotomy on the treatment of advanced rheumatoid arthritis patients with severe hallux valgus and claw toe deformity of lesser toes which is used for preserving the metatarsophalangeal joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2005 to June 2009, 18 cases of axial shortening metatarsal osteotomy in advanced rheumatoid arthritis were reviewed ; all of them followed up for more than 2 years after surgical procedures and the mean follow up period was 3.4 years. We performed axial shortening Scarf osteotomy and Akin osteotomy for hallux valgus and Weil osteotomy with soft tissue release for claw toe of lesser toes, respectively. We measured preoperative and postoperative hallux valgus angle, each metatarsal shortening length and the range of motion of the metatarsophalangeal joints through radiographic and clinical examination and compared them each other. Clinical results were evaluated by American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and subjective satisfaction of the patients. RESULTS: The hallux valgus angle was reduced from the preoperative mean value of 44.8 degree to 9.0 degree postoperatively and the range of motion of the metatarsophalangeal joint of great toe and lesser toes was increased from the mean of 21.7 degree and 11.0 degree preoperatively to 38.0 degree and 32.5 degree, respectively at postoperation. Also, the mean AOFAS score was improved from 26.5 points to 67.4 points. CONCLUSION: Axial shortening osteotomy is a useful method to correct the deformity and preserve the metatarsophalangeal joint for severe hallux valgus and claw toe deformity in advanced rheumatoid arthritis.

The Proximal Lengthening of Long Flexor Tendon in the Management of Claw Toe Deformities / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of acquired claw toe deformities that had been treated with proximal lengthening of the long toe flexor tendons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with a claw toe deformity due to contracture of the long flexor tendons were treated with proximal lengthening of the long toe flexor tendons from January 1993 to January 2003 and were followed up for at least 1 year. The average age at the time of the operation was 42 years and the average follow-up period was 34 months. Achilles tendon lengthening was also performed in 14 cases with an equinus deformity. At the final follow-up, a residual toe deformity, toe pain during walking, patient's satisfaction, and limitation of the shoe-wear were assessed. RESULTS: At the final follow up, all cases showed a complete correction of a claw toe deformity, and did not have callosity at the toe tip or dorsal aspect of the toes. Toe pain during walking was found in 1 case, and a limitation of the shoe-wear was noted in 6 cases. At the final evaluation, 10 cases were graded as excellent, 6 good, and 1 fair. There was no recurrence of the claw toe deformity or limitation of the toe motion. CONCLUSION: Proximal lengthening of the long toe flexor tendons is recommended for treating flexible claw toe deformities. The procedure produced excellent results regarding the deformity correction and pain relief.