Small toe muscles for defect coverage

Defects on the sole of the foot are always a major problem. Frequently, these patients suffer from other diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, chronic vascular diseases, or skeletal deformities. Usually, these are full-thickness defects and the bone is exposed. Beside other possibilities, the short muscles of the fifth toe provide a viable muscle flap for coverage of small defects, especially on the lateral side of the foot.