Arthroplasty of the second toe

The pathology, pathophysiology, and clinical anatomy of claw, hammer, and crossover toe deformities are presented. Emphasis is placed on the deforming role of the collateral ligaments and intrinsic tendons. A sequential approach to soft-tissue releases about the metatarsophalangeal joint for correction of deformity is presented. In addition to these static deformities, instability of the second metatarsophalangeal joint, including subluxation and dislocation, is discussed.