Interphalangeal joint hallux ossicle.

The interphalangeal joint hallux ossicles that podiatrists are concerned with are those which produce pain as a result of keratoma and bursal sac formation. The patient with interphalangeal ossicles usually has a well delineated, circumscribed, painful excrescence with surrounding soft tissue inflammation, underlying bursal sac formation, and atrophy of the facial planes inferior to the interphalangeal joint. Although an interphalangeal ossicle may be clinically palpable, radiographic examination will not always confirm the condition as many interphalangeal ossicles are fibrocartilaginous and therefore are radiolucent. Dr. Sharon discusses diagnosis and surgical approaches which may be used to correct the problem.