title: Digital arthrodesis.
abstract: For lesser toe deformities, fusion of the proximal interphalangeal joint offers good long-term correction and predictability. Digital arthrodesis has been described for longer than 100 years in the literature, and current techniques closely resemble those described in early accounts. However, many implants currently being used take advantage of the latest metallurgic and polymeric innovations, with implants being composed of nitinol, polylactic or polyglycolic acids, and polydioxanone. Newer implants offer easy insertion and good stability, with no percutaneous wires. Pin-tract infection rates from exposed Kirschner wires may be as high as 18%, and newer implants help to mitigate this problem.
authors.affiliation: Foot and Ankle Associates of Southwest Virginia, 1802 Braeburn Drive, Suite M120, Salem, VA 24153, USA. cmzelen@periedu.com
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Zelen
authors.forename: Nathan J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001864:Bone Wires / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005531:Foot Deformities, Acquired / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D037801:Hammer Toe Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Arthrodesis; Hammer toe; ProToe; SmartToe; StayFuse