Correction of Hammer Toe Deformity of Lateral Toes With Subtraction Osteotomy of the Proximal Phalanx Neck

Existing techniques for surgical treatment of hammer toe commonly combine skeletal and soft tissues interventions to obtain a durable correction of the deformity, balance the musculotendinous forces of flexion and extension of the toe, and normalization of the relations between interosseous muscles and metatarsal bones. The most common surgical techniques can provide the correction of the deformity through arthroplasty with resection of the head of the proximal phalanx or arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint. In most cases, these have been associated with elongation of the extensor apparatus, capsulotomy of the metatarsophalangeal joint, and stabilization with a Kirschner wire. To experiment with a technique that respects the anatomy and joint function, we used a distal subtraction osteotomy of the proximal phalanx neck. We evaluated a series of 40 patients, aged 18 to 82 years, who underwent surgery from January 2008 to December 2010. All patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically pre- and postoperatively and underwent examination at a mean final follow-up point of 24.4 (minimal 12, maximal 36) months. For the clinical evaluation, we used the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score. The rate of excellent and good results was >90%. Compared with other techniques, this technique led to considerable correction, restoration of the biomechanical and radiographic parameters, and an adjunctive advantage of preserving the integrity of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Thus, our results have caused us to prefer this technique.