The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 58, Issue 7 1005-1007, Copyright © 1976 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Results of phalangectomy of the fifth toe for hammertoe. The Ruiz-Mora procedure
CJ Janecki and AH Wilde
The Ruiz-Mora procedure has been advocated for the correction of hammertoe
deformities and congenital overlapping of the fifth toe, primarily on
empirical grounds. This is a review of forty-one such procedures in which
the operation was used for correction of a hammertoe deformity of the fifth
toe with a painful corn overlying the proximal interphalangeal joint.
Twenty-two patients with thirty-one procedures were followed for an average
of 3.5 years. All of the patients had complete relief of symptoms and
correction of deformity. However, in 23 per cent of the patients a painful
prominent head of the fifth metartarsal or a bunionette developed, and in
32 per cent a hammertoe deformity of the adjacent fourth toe developed with
a painful corn either over the proximal interphalangeal joint or on the tip
of the fourth toe. These problems seem to be related to excessive
shortening of the the fifth toe. Less bone resection (resection of only the
head and neck of the proximal phalanx) might be preferable and might not
lead to these complications.