Chronic and recurrent dislocations of the fifth toe.

Ten cases of chronic and recurrent dislocations of the fifth toe were reviewed. The history consisted of forceful abduction by catching the toe on a piece of furniture while walking barefoot. In every case the pathology was overlooked by the treating physician or the patient failed to seek medical care. All of the patients were seen years after the initial injury. The clinical patterns revealed a relatively fixed abduction deformity at the proximal interphalangeal level or a recurrent dislocation occurring on weightbearing at either the proximal interphalangeal or metatarsophalangeal level. Treatment consisted of resection of the head and neck of the proximal phalanx and/or syndactyly to the fourth toe. Results were uniformly excellent.