Clinical orthopaedics and related research
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Classification and treatment of polydactyly and polysyndactyly of the fifth toe are described based on a study of 37 patients with 46 affected feet. Polydactyly was seen in 26.1% of duplicated toes, polysyndactyly in 28.3%, and polysyndactyly fused with the fourth toe in 45.7%. Thirty-three patients with 42 toes were surgically treated. ⋯ The lateral digital ray, including the metatarsal, was excised in patients with polydactyly of the metatarsal type. The average age of patients at operation was 12.3 months (range, five days to five years). Reorganization of the foot was facilitated when the child was treated early or before it could walk.