Treatment of the atypical lesser toe deformity with basal hemiphalangectomy

Eighty-six lesser toe basal hemiphalangectomies were performed in 52 patients. The surgical technique included an oblique dorsal incision, resection of 8 mm of bone, and an extensor tenotomy. Minimum follow-up was 2 years (range 2-6/1/2 years). Sixty percent of the patients had total relief of pain. Twenty-nine percent stated that they would not have the surgery again, and we categorized these patients as dissatisfied. An extensor tenotomy increased the satisfaction rate and was found to decrease the radiographic sagittal angulation of the toe. The preoperative diagnosis was significant to the outcome of the surgery. Patients with metatarsophalangeal joint synovitis and rheumatoid toe deformities had high rates of satisfaction; those with transverse deviation, metatarsalgia, and hammertoes with metatarsophalangeal joint subluxation/dislocation had lower rates of satisfaction. Seventy percent of the dissatisfied patients were dissatisfied because of persistent flexion deformity of the PIP joint or pain under the metatarsal head. We now add a PIP fusion if any flexion deformity, even a mild deformity, is present at the PIP joint and a plantar metatarsal condylectomy for metatarsalgia.