A case of "trigger toe".

"Triggering" of the toes, in which local tendon hypertrophy prevents the smooth movement of the tendon, has been described as a problem more theoretical than real and only three cases have been reported. The authors report a case of partial tethering of the flexor hallucis longus tendon just distal to the medial malleolus in a 28-year-old jogger who had painful triggering of the great toe on plantar flexion of the ankle and great toe. Division of the flexor hallucis longus tendon pulley distal and posterior to the medial malleolus cured the patient.