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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Murine Flexor Tendon Injury and Repair Surgery

Murine Flexor Tendon Injury and Repair Surgery

Published on: September 19, 2016

Percutaneous Flexor Tenotomy Plus Plantar Capsule Release for Rigid Hammertoe: A Cadaveric Study.

Madeline Power^1,2,3, Erin Bigney^2,3, William Mayer^1,4

¹Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, Canada.

Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics

|December 24, 2025

Summary

Combining tenotomy with plantar capsule release effectively corrects rigid hammertoes in a cadaveric model. This less invasive technique shows promise for diabetic patients, potentially reducing complications and amputations.

Keywords:

Rigid hammertoe cadaveric study diabetic foot deformity hammertoe minimally invasive surgery percutaneous tenotomy plantar capsule release

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Area of Science:

Orthopedic Surgery
Podiatric Surgery
Diabetic Foot Care

Background:

Rigid hammertoe deformities in diabetic patients pose treatment challenges.
Percutaneous tenotomy may not address capsular contractures, and arthrodesis carries high complication risks.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the feasibility, correction magnitude, and vascular safety of combining tenotomy with plantar capsule release for rigid hammertoes.
To assess this technique's potential as a less invasive alternative to arthrodesis.

Main Methods:

Utilized 10 lower-limb cadaveric specimens (14 rigid hammertoes) perfused with India ink-latex.
Measured hammertoe deformity angles preoperatively, post-tenotomy, and post-capsule release.
Performed standard dissection to evaluate plantar digital arteries for iatrogenic injury.

Main Results:

Mean preoperative contracture of 56.5 degrees improved by 47.4% after tenotomy.
Plantar capsule release achieved full correction in 92% of cases not fully corrected by tenotomy alone.
No iatrogenic injuries to plantar digital arteries were observed.

Conclusions:

Combining tenotomy with plantar capsule release effectively corrects rigid hammertoes in a cadaveric model.
This combined approach offers a potentially less invasive option for outpatient treatment.
The technique may reduce risks for diabetic patients compared to arthrodesis, potentially lowering amputation rates.