Surgical Treatment of Toe Deformities in Patients with RheumatoidArthritis

Overview

This paper reviews the possibilities in surgical treatment of toe deformities in patients withrheumatoid arthritis (RA). Foot is frequently affected in patients with RA – up to in 95 %. The mostfrequent deformities are the hallux valgus and flat-foot. Typical is the luxation of metatarsophalangealheads, which protrude in the sole. This causes difficulties in walking. The resection is the mostfrequently performed procedure in which the metatarsal heads of leader toes are removed as wellas the basal part of big toe. Early indication for operationandcollaboration between rheumatologist,prothetic department and orthopedic surgeon is stressed.

Key words:
surgery of the rheumatoid foot, hallux valgus, resection of the metatarsal head