[Treatment of the swan neck deformity]

The pathogenesis and the anatomic causes for the swan neck deformity are reviewed. Many different soft tissue operations can succeed in preventing catastrophic loss of function if the deformity is treated while still in stage 1 or 2. In the later stages (3 and 4) restoration of finger is often not possible as a result of joint stiffness and irreversible joint changes. In this case, arthroplasty and arthrodesis should be considered.