Abstract
Hammertoe deformity is among the most common pathologies treated by foot and ankle surgeons. The types and etiologies of these challenging deformities vary, and surgical treatments will often times require a multitude of approaches. The flexor to extensor tendon transfer is a powerful surgical procedure with rewarding clinical outcomes when applied and executed correctly. The chapter will cover key points in patient history and important diagnostic methods and modalities. Three surgical techniques for flexor to extensor tendon transfers are described. Foot and ankle surgeons should be aware of the benefits of this procedure as well as understanding potential complications and how to mitigate unwanted outcomes when performing flexor to extensor tendon transfers for digital deformity.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Taylor RG. The treatment of claw toes by multiple transfers of flexor into extensor tendons. J Bone Joint Surg. 1951;33:539–42.
Sgarlato TE. Transplantation of the flexor digitorum longus muscle tendon in hammertoes. J Am Podiatry Assoc. 1970;60(10):383–8.
Kuwada GT. A retrospective analysis of modification of the flexor tendon transfer for correction of hammer toe. J Foot Surg. 1988;27(1):57–9.
Thompson FM, Deland JT. Flexor tendon transfer for metatarsophalangeal instability of the second toe. Foot Ankle. 1993;14(7):385–8.
Schuberth JM, Jensen R. Flexor digitorum longus transfer for second metatarsophalangeal joint dislocation/subluxation. In:Reconstructive surgery of the foot and leg. Update ‘97. Tucker: The Podiatry Institute; 1997. p. 11–4.
Myerson MS, Jung HG. The role of toe flexor-to-extensor transfer in correcting metatarsophalangeal joint instability of the second toe. Foot Ankle Int. 2005;26(9):675–9.
Boyer ML, DeOrio JK. Transfer of the flexor digitorum longus for the correction of lesser-toe deformities. Foot Ankle Int. 2007;28(4):422–30.
Barbari SG, Brevig K. Correction of clawtoes by the Girdlestone-Taylor flexor-extensor transfer procedure. Foot Ankle. 1984;5(2):67–73.
Bouche RT, Heit EJ. Combined plantar plate and hammertoe repair with flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer for chronic, severe sagittal plane instability of the lesser metatarsophalangeal joints: preliminary observations. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2008;47(2):125–37.
Thompson FM, Hamilton WG. Problems of the second metatarsophalangeal joint. Orthopedics. 1987;10:83–7.
Klein EE, Weil L Jr, Weil LS, Knight J. Magnetic resonance imaging versus musculoskeletal ultrasound for identification and localization of plantar plate tears. Foot Ankle Spec. 2012;5(6):359–65.
Fishco WD, Roth BJ. Digital fracture after a flexor tendon transfer for hammertoe repair: a case report. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2010;49:179–81.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
DiNucci, K., Hegewald, K. (2019). Flexor to Extensor Tendon Transfers. In: Cook, E., Cook, J. (eds) Hammertoes. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16552-3_15
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16552-3_15
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16551-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16552-3
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)