[Forefoot reconstruction. The frequency and importance of the toe and metatarsal formula (author's transl)]

The forefoot reconstruction as a routine treatment, is increasing in significance, not only in treating polyarthritic patients, but also after numerous surgical failures in treating halux valgus or hammer toes. Far from being a simple operation, the reconstruction requires an exact knowledge of the physiopathology of the foot. Special attention should be given to the digital and metatarsal formula. Based on an analysis of 200 forefoot reconstructions, the advantages and the disadvantages of the various methods are discussed. For the first time in the German speaking countries, the frequency of occurrences of the different digitial and metatarsal formulas has been compiled in tables from an examination of 500 forefeet.