New Surgical Solution for Hammertoe Deformity

A novel implant for hammertoe fixation offers an effective, easy-to-use, and more comfortable solution for patients than traditional wire devices.

The ARROW-LOK Digital Fusion System is shaped as a double-headed three-dimensional (3D) arrow, and is intended for the fixation of osteotomies, arthrodeses, and reconstruction in the lesser toes following corrective procedures. The system includes the implants themselves and corresponding instruments designed to facilitate placement. The central shaft of the implant has two sections; the longer section is designed to accommodate the proximal phalanx, while the shorter section, with a straight design or a 10° plantar angle configuration, is designed to accommodate the intermediate phalanx.


The device is available in standard (equal sized arrowheads) and hybrid configurations (different proximal and distal arrow sizes). The implant is available in a diameter of 1.5 mm and lengths varying from 13 to 35 mm, and is available in both straight and angled options. The ARROW-LOK Digital Fusion System is a product of Arrowhead Medical Device Technologies (Memphis, TN, USA), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“I’ve had several patients that have been putting off surgery for years because they didn’t want to go through the experience with the external wires, the most common manner of fixation,” said ARROW-LOK developer podiatric surgeon Scott Roman, DPM, of the Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia (Atlanta, USA; www.ankleandfootcenters.com). “The ARROW-LOK system is a comparatively anxiety-free postoperative experience for them. As we bring the device to doctors across the country, the patient population will become more aware of the product and discover that they can have hammertoe surgery without wires protruding from the ends of their toes.”

A hammertoe or contracted toe is a deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the second, third, or fourth toe causing it to be permanently bent, resembling a hammer. It most frequently results from wearing poorly fitting shoes that can force the toe into a bent position, such as excessively high heels or shoes that are too short or narrow for the foot. Having the toes bent for long periods of time can cause the muscles in them to shorten, resulting in the hammer toe deformity. This is often found in conjunction with bunions or other foot problems.

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Arrowhead Medical Device Technologies