Bone block lengthening of the proximal interphalangeal joint for managing the floppy toe deformity

The short floppy toe, an iatrogenic condition in which the digit lacks structural stability, results from excessive resection of the distal aspect of the proximal phalanx during correction of claw or hammer toe deformity. The involved toe is much shorter than the adjacent digit, which it will often overlap. Little attention has been given to the cause and treatment of the floppy toe deformity in the literature. As an iatrogenic condition, the best treatment is prevention. This article discusses the various procedures for the surgical correction of the floppy toe deformity.