Arch Aesthetic Plast Surg.  2023 Apr;29(2):102-108. 10.14730/aaps.2023.00815.

An effective aesthetic toe-shortening procedure

• Jung BK
• Kim YJ
• Lee YD
• Kim YS

• KMID: 2541853
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14730/aaps.2023.00815

Abstract

Background
Many people with a longer second toe or lesser toes experience symptoms such as corns, hammertoe, and numerous others, especially when wearing open-toe shoes. Proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis using intraosseous loop wiring performed through a hidden side incision is a useful method to shorten the lesser toes aesthetically.
Methods
Aesthetic toe-shortening procedures were performed in 30 patients. All patients were evaluated by a physical examination and X-rays, and they underwent proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis using intraosseous loop wiring through a medial incision. Demographic characteristics, including foot morphology, were analyzed. The number of resected toes and resection amounts of each toe were measured. Patients’ satisfaction was determined through a questionnaire administered at each follow-up.
Results
In total, 91 toe-shortening procedures were performed in 30 patients who were followed up for an average of 24 months (range, 6–48 months). Sixteen patients had Greek-type feet (53.3%) and 14 had square-type feet (46.7%). Twelve patients had hammer toe deformity (40.0%) and 13 had corns (43.3%). The average length of the resected second and third toes was 9.66±2.79 mm (range, 5–15 mm) and 7.78±2.51 mm (range, 5–12 mm), respectively. The vast majority of patients were satisfied with the final results. No significant complications such as nonunion occurred. Only one case of mild angulation of the second toe was noted.
Conclusions
Aesthetic toe-shortening using the procedure described here can prevent the development of lessor toe deformities and provide permanent, aesthetically pleasing results with a short recovery time.

Keyword

Hammer toe syndrome / Toe joint / Arthrodesis / Bone wires