The Ruiz-Mora procedure has been advocated for the correction of
hammertoe deformities and congenital overlapping of the fifth toe,
primarily on empirical grounds. This is a review of forty-one such
procedures in which the operation was used for correction of a hammertoe
deformity of the fifth toe with a painful corn overlying the proximal
interphalangeal joint. Twenty-two patients with thirty-one procedures were
followed for an average of 3.5 years. All of the patients had complete
relief of symptoms and correction of deformity. However, in 23 per cent of
the patients a painful prominent head of the fifth metartarsal or a
bunionette developed, and in 32 per cent a hammertoe deformity of the
adjacent fourth toe developed with a painful corn either over the proximal
interphalangeal joint or on the tip of the fourth toe. These problems seem
to be related to excessive shortening of the the fifth toe. Less bone
resection (resection of only the head and neck of the proximal phalanx)
might be preferable and might not lead to these complications.