Postinfective skin contracture: a rare cause of fifth metatarsophalangeal joint subluxation.

Dislocation or subluxation of the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) is common and usually follows a traumatic event. Non-traumatic causes usually include inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis), connective tissue disorders, crowded shoewear or flexor digitorum longus tendon contracture. We present a very unusual case of subluxation of the fifth MTP joint following a postboil skin contracture. The case was treated with the release of contracture by Z-plasty. It resulted in concentric reduction of the joint and normal skin healing.