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Hammertoes A Case Based Approach

Emily A. Cook
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Hammertoes

A Case-Based Approach
Emily A. Cook
Jeremy J. Cook
Editors

123
Hammertoes
Emily A. Cook • Jeremy J. Cook
Editors

Hammertoes
A Case-Based Approach
Editors
Emily A. Cook Jeremy J. Cook
Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School
Mount Auburn Hospital Mount Auburn Hospital
Cambridge, MA Cambridge, MA
USA USA

ISBN 978-3-319-16551-6    ISBN 978-3-319-16552-3 (eBook)


https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16552-3

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018967991

© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019


This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of
the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation,
broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information
storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology
now known or hereafter developed.
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication
does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant
protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book
are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the
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This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG
The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
Preface

As Aesop famously said, “familiarity breeds contempt,” and the ubiquitous ham-
mertoe deformity is proof to this statement as fact. We have attended many confer-
ences, lectures, and workshops throughout our careers. At these meetings, we have
often been surprised by the number of practitioners that ask for advice on the man-
agement of a complex digital deformity. Our ever-expanding expertise includes
complicated multiplane limb deformity correction and ankle joint replacement, yet
why should the statement “Nothing is as humbling as a hammertoe that has gone
awry” still be true? The fact is that the biomechanics intrinsic to the toes are a mar-
vel. The circumstances that disrupt that balance are equally complex which is why
this book has been compiled.
The purpose of Hammertoes: A Case-Based Approach is to provide foot and
ankle specialists with a comprehensive understanding of digital deformities of the
foot and their management. An introductory chapter will establish the functional
anatomy, while subsequent chapters provide a compilation of interesting cases and
challenging pedal pathologies. The format is such that each case will present rele-
vant clinical details that justify the subsequent decision-making and ultimately the
final treatment option. The chapters are intended to be applicable for students and
experts alike regardless of educational background.
In the initial stages of the process, it became apparent that to meet our lofty stan-
dards, we would need the expertise and most onerously, the time of our colleagues.
We have assembled a virtual pantheon of experts and thought leaders to compile the
information you now hold in your hands. It is with no small amount of pride that we
can say that the contributing authors are drawn from diverse institutions, degrees,
and far-flung locales. We cannot fully express our gratitude to them for their
participation.
We recognize that surgery has a constantly evolving standard. Our objective is to
provide a substantial foundation for the reader to draw from, with the understanding
that time and knowledge march on. Although the details may change over time, we
believe that principles expressed in these chapters may be applicable regardless of
the technique or implant du jour. We encourage you to look at each chapter critically

v
vi Preface

and see how it supplements your own current understanding. We hope that our
efforts help you to continue to provide the exceptional care your patients deserve.
In the course of writing this book, one of the authors passed away. Bruce
Richardson, PhD, served as the Dean for Preclinical Affairs at the California School
of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University. He masterfully taught human
anatomy for decades with a kind spirit and a sharp wit. His list of accolades is a
chapter unto themselves, but none greater than the living testament that his students,
who improve the lives of patients everyday with the knowledge he provided. Several
of the authors in this book owe their anatomic understanding to Dr. Richardson. We
would like to dedicate this book to his memory and the spirit of education that was
such an important part of his life.
Contents

1 Anatomy of the Intermetatarsal, Lesser Metatarsophalangeal,


and Lesser Interphalangeal Joints ����������������������������������������������������������   1
Bruce A. Richardson, Matthew Knabel, and Eric Swenson
2 Biomechanics of Hammertoes ������������������������������������������������������������������ 21
Jeffrey C. Christensen and Eric G. Powell
3 First Ray Function, Metatarsalgia, and Hammertoes:
How Are They Connected? ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 33
Douglas H. Richie Jr
4 PIPJ Arthroplasty Without Fixation ������������������������������������������������������ 57
David Edwards
5 PIPJ Interpositional Arthroplasty ���������������������������������������������������������� 67
Adam Landsman
6 PIPJ Arthrodesis via Peg and Hole Technique �������������������������������������� 75
Amber M. Shane, Christopher L. Reeves, and Francesca Zappasodi
7 Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis via Kirschner
Wire Fixation �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 85
Michelle Butterworth
8 PIPJ Arthrodesis with a One-Component Metallic Implant ���������������� 103
Ryan T. Scott, Christopher F. Hyer, and Gregory C. Berlet
9 PIPJ Arthrodesis with a Thermal-­Activated Metallic Implant ������������ 115
Michael A. Rivera and Thomas J. Chang
10 The Use of Allogenic Bone Implant in Proximal Interphalangeal
Joint Arthrodesis �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 129
William T. DeCarbo and Joshua D. Thun

vii
viii Contents

11 Proximal Interphalangeal Joint (PIPJ) Arthrodesis with


a Poly-­etheretherketone (PEEK) Implant ���������������������������������������������� 141
Jeremy J. Cook and Emily A. Cook
12 PIPJ Arthrodesis with a Bioabsorbable Implant ���������������������������������� 149
Luke D. Cicchinelli
13 Plastic Surgery Procedures for Hammertoe Correction ���������������������� 167
Peter Blume, Beau Vesely, and Rene Hymel
14 Tendon Lengthening Procedures ������������������������������������������������������������ 181
Mark Gilheany
15 Flexor to Extensor Tendon Transfers ������������������������������������������������������ 197
Kris DiNucci and Kenneth Hegewald
16 Tendon Transfers for Digital Deformities and Hammertoes ���������������� 209
Lawrence A. DiDomenico, Frank A. Luckino III,
and Danielle N. Butto
17 Plantar Plate Repair via a Plantar Approach ���������������������������������������� 241
Eric G. Powell, Melinda A. Bowlby, and Jeffrey C. Christensen
18 Weil Osteotomy and Its Modifications ���������������������������������������������������� 255
Jeremy J. Cook and Emily A. Cook
19 Lesser MTPJ Reconstruction ������������������������������������������������������������������ 265
Emily A. Cook, Jeremy J. Cook, and Robin Cook
20 Lesion-Directed Fifth Toe Surgery ���������������������������������������������������������� 287
Mickey D. Stapp and Trevor S. Payne
21 Fifth Toe Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis �������������������������� 307
Thomas S. Roukis and Drew Davidson
22 Congenital Overlapping Fifth Toe ���������������������������������������������������������� 315
Mark Gilheany
23 Chapter: Primary Mallet Toe Correction ���������������������������������������������� 331
Simon E. Smith and Nicholas D. Ryan
24 Hammertoe Correction in the Neuropathic Patient ������������������������������ 355
Barry Rosenblum and Christopher P. Tveter
25 Percutaneous Tenotomies and Capsulotomies
in Neuropathic Claw Toes ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 365
Rachel Baisch Kang and Thomas S. Roukis
26 Lesser Metatarsal-Phalangeal Joint Fusion as an
Adjunctive Procedure for the Treatment of the
Complex Hammer Digit �������������������������������������������������������������������������� 375
Robert Joseph
Contents ix

27 Flail Toe Correction: Interpositional Bone Graft


and Syndactylization Approaches ������������������������������������������������������������ 387
Michael S. Downey
28 Recurrent Hammertoe Deformity ���������������������������������������������������������� 399
Elena Manning and Michael L. Sganga
29 Lesser Metatarsal Head with Avascular Necrosis
and Revision PIPJ Distraction Arthrodesis �������������������������������������������� 403
Jacob Wynes

Index ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 415


Contributors

Gregory C. Berlet, MD, FRCS(C) Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Center, Westerville,
OH, USA
Peter Blume, DPM Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
Melinda A. Bowlby, DPM Podiatric Section: Department of Orthopedics, Swedish
Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
Michelle Butterworth, DPM, FACFAS Williamsburg Foot Center, Williamsburg
Regional Hospital, Kingstree, SC, USA
Danielle N. Butto, DPM, AACFAS Trinity Health of New England Medical
Group, Hartford, CT, USA
Saint Francis Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
Thomas J. Chang, DPM Redwood Orthopedic Surgery Associates, Santa Rosa,
CA, USA
Jeffrey C. Christensen, DPM Podiatric Section: Department of Orthopedics,
Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
Ankle and Foot Clinics Northwest, Everett, WA, USA
Luke D. Cicchinelli, DPM Private Practice, Centro Clinico Quirurgico,
Vigo, Spain
Emily A. Cook, DPM, MPH, FACFAS Harvard Medical School, Division of
Podiatry, Department of Surgery, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA
Jeremy J. Cook, DPM, MPH, FACFAS Harvard Medical School, Division of
Podiatry, Department of Surgery, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA
Robin Cook Harvard Medical School, Division of Podiatry, Department of
Surgery, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA
Drew Davidson, DPM McFarland Clinic, Ames, IA, USA

xi
xii Contributors

William T. DeCarbo, DPM, FACFAS St. Clair Orthopedic Associates, Pittsburgh,


PA, USA
Lawrence A. DiDomenico, DPM, FACFAS Department of Surgery, St. Elizabeth
Health Center, Youngstown, OH, USA
Northside Medical Center, Youngstown, OH, USA
Kris DiNucci, DPM, FACFAS Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona, Scottsdale,
AZ, USA
Michael S. Downey, DPM, FACFAS Division of Podiatric Surgery, Penn
Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Department of Surgery, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine,
Philadelphia, PA, USA
The Podiatry Institute, Decatur, GA, USA
Private Practice, Philadelphia, PA/Southern NJ, USA
David Edwards, DPM Foot and Ankle Clinic, Logan, UT, USA
Mark Gilheany, B(Pod), G(Pod), FACPS Foot and Ankle Specialists, Traralgon,
VIC, Australia
Kenneth Hegewald, DPM, AACFAS Cascade Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Center, Hood River, OR, USA
Christopher F. Hyer, DPM, MS, FACFAS Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Center,
Westerville, OH, USA
Rene Hymel, DPM Baton Rouge General Hospital, Hammond, LA, USA
Robert Joseph, DPM, PhD, FACFAS Department of Podiatric Medicine and
Radiology, Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of
Medicine and Health Sciences, North Chicago, IL, USA
Rachel Baisch Kang, DPM The Foot and Ankle Center of Kirkland PLLC,
Kirkland, WA, USA
Matthew Knabel Clinical Fellow in Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Department
of Surgery, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA
Adam Landsman, DPM, PhD Division of Podiatric Surgery, Cambridge Health
Alliance, Cambridge, MA, USA
Harvard University, School of Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
Frank A. Luckino III, DPM, AACFAS Northeast Ohio Foot and Ankle Specialists,
Canton, OH, USA
Mercy Medical Center, Canton, OH, USA
Elena Manning, DPM Department of Surgery, Division of Podiatry, Mount
Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA
Trevor S. Payne, DPM Private Practice, Augusta Foot & Ankle, PC, Evans,
GA, USA
Contributors xiii

Eric G. Powell, DPM Podiatric Section: Department of Orthopedics, Swedish


Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
Minor and James Surgical Specialists, Seattle, WA, USA
Christopher L. Reeves, DPM, FACFAS Florida Hospital, Winter Park, FL, USA
Bruce A. Richardson, PhD California School of Podiatric Medicine, Samuel
Merritt University, Oakland, CA, USA
Douglas H. Richie Jr, DPM, FACFAS, FAAPSM Department of Biomechanics,
California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University, Oakland,
CA, USA
Michael A. Rivera, DPM Memorial Hospital West, Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
Barry Rosenblum, DPM Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Division of
Podiatry, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
Thomas S. Roukis, DPM, PhD, FACFAS Orthopaedic Center, Gundersen Health
System, La Crosse, WI, USA
Nicholas D. Ryan, B.Pod (Hons) B. App Sci Footlab+, Ringwood, VIC, Australia
Ryan T. Scott, DPM, FACFAS The CORE Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Michael L. Sganga, DPM, AACFAS Orthopedics New England, Natick,
MA, USA
Amber M. Shane, DPM, FACFAS Orlando Foot and Ankle Clinic, Orlando,
FL, USA
Simon E. Smith, B.Pod, M.Pod, FACPS Australasian College of Podiatric
Surgeons, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Mickey D. Stapp, DPM Private Practice, Augusta Foot & Ankle, PC, Evans,
GA, USA
The Podiatry Institute, Decatur, GA, USA
Eric Swenson Clinical Fellow in Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Department of
Surgery, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA
Joshua D. Thun, DPM, AACFAS Western Orthopedics and Sports Medicine,
Grand Junction, CO, USA
Christopher P. Tveter, MD, FRCS(C) Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center,
Division of Podiatry, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston,
MA, USA
Beau Vesely, DPM Krohn Clinic, Black River Falls, WI, USA
Jacob Wynes, DPM, MS, FACFAS Department of Orthopaedics, University of
Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
Francesca Zappasodi, DPM Foot and Ankle Associates, Mooresville, NC, USA
Chapter 1
Anatomy of the Intermetatarsal, Lesser
Metatarsophalangeal, and Lesser
Interphalangeal Joints

Bruce A. Richardson, Matthew Knabel, and Eric Swenson

Intermetatarsal Joints

Both the bases and the heads of the lateral four metatarsals are connected by liga-
ments forming the intermetatarsal joints (IMJ). The adjacent sides of the bases of
the second, third, fourth, and fifth metatarsals articulate with one another via plane
synovial joints. The synovial joint cavity of the second and third IMJ is continuous
with the cavity of the great tarsal joint. The joint cavity of the third and fourth IMJ
is occasionally continuous with the cavity of the general tarsal cavity and in other
instances is continuous with the cavity of the lateral tarsometatarsal joint. The joint
cavity of the fourth and fifth IMJ is continuous with the cavity of the lateral tarso-
metatarsal joint between the fourth and fifth metatarsal and the cuboid [1].
Articular surfaces do not exist between the metatarsal heads as they do not come
close enough to one another to truly articulate. They are held together, however, by
the deep transverse metatarsal ligament (Fig. 1.1a, b).

Components of the Intermetatarsal Joints

The bases of the four lateral metatarsals are connected by the dorsal intermetatarsal,
plantar intermetatarsal, and interosseous intermetatarsal ligaments. The first meta-
tarsal is connected with the second by interosseous fibers only; the fibers are weak
and may be largely replaced by a bursa between indistinct facets on the two bones.

B. A. Richardson
California School of Podiatric Medicine Samuel Merritt University, Oakland, CA, USA
M. Knabel (*) · E. Swenson (*)
Clinical Fellow in Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Department of Surgery, Mount Auburn
Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA
e-mail: mknabel@mah.harvard.edu; eric.swenson@mah.harvard.edu

© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019 1


E. A. Cook, J. J. Cook (eds.), Hammertoes,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16552-3_1
2 B. A. Richardson et al.

a b

3
1 1
2

Fig. 1.1 (a, b) 1. The deep transverse metatarsal ligament connects the metatarsal heads. 2. Plantar
interossei adduct toes 3–5 toward the midline of the foot. 3. Dorsal interossei abduct the toes away
from the midline (second toe) of the foot. Both dorsal and plantar interossei lie dorsal to the deep
transverse metatarsal ligament

The dorsal intermetatarsal ligaments pass transversely between the dorsal


s­ urfaces of the bases of the adjacent metatarsal bones. The plantar intermetatarsal
ligaments extend transversely between the plantar surfaces of the bases of the
adjacent metatarsal bones. The plantar ligaments are the stronger of the two sets
being thicker than the dorsal ligaments. The strongest of the ligaments are the
interosseous intermetatarsal ligaments. These ligaments attach to the non-articular
areas of the adjacent metatarsal bases of the second, third, fourth, and fifth
metatarsals.
The deep transverse metatarsal ligament extends medially as far as the lateral
side of the head of the first metatarsal and laterally as far as the medial side of the
1 Anatomy of the Intermetatarsal, Lesser Metatarsophalangeal, and Lesser… 3

head of the fifth metatarsal (Fig. 1.1). The fibers of the ligament are primarily con-
nected to the plantar aspects of the metatarsophalangeal joints via the edges of the
plantar plates.

Movements of the Intermetatarsal Joints

Gliding movements between the adjacent sides of the bases of the second, third,
fourth, and fifth metatarsals occur at the IMJs. Although these movements are slight,
they are important in that they contribute to movements of the forefoot relative to
the midfoot and hindfoot, especially in forward propulsion and in excess weight-­
bearing, such as carrying a heavy object [2].

Innervation of the Intermetatarsal Joints

Innervation of the IMJs is provided by branches of the lateral plantar nerve and of
the deep peroneal nerve [3].

Lesser Metatarsophalangeal Joints

The metatarsophalangeal joints (MTPJ) are of the condyloidal (ellipsoidal) synovial


type. The MTPJs are both anatomical and functional joints in that they are true
synovial joints, but each brings about significant movements or functions of the
forefoot. They are formed by the reception of the rounded distal heads of the five
metatarsal bones in the shallow cavities of the proximal bases of the five proximal
phalanges. The lesser MTPJs are the articulations of metatarsals II through V with
the corresponding proximal phalanges.

Components of the Lesser Metatarsophalangeal Joints

The joint surfaces of both the metatarsals and proximal phalanges are roughly oval
in shape, with the head of the metatarsal contributing to the convex portion of the
joint and the base of the proximal phalanx forming the concave portion. While the
first MTPJ possesses sesamoid bones that are constant and contribute to the articular
surfaces of this joint, the presence of sesamoids within the joint capsules of the
lesser MTPJs is variable. The most common occurrence is at the second (1–1.6% of
4 B. A. Richardson et al.

cases examined), fourth (2%), and fifth (11%) MTPJs. When present, typically there
is one sesamoid of the second, one of the fourth, and two of the fifth MTPJ (Fig. 1.2).
These sesamoids tend to be embedded within the joint capsules and the tendons of
the short flexors of the toes [4, 5].
A loose fibrous joint capsule lined with a synovial membrane surrounds each
MTPJ. The capsules are distinct dorsally and are attached further proximally on the
plantar surfaces of the metatarsals than on the dorsal surfaces of the metatarsals.
Dorsally, the capsule attaches very near the edge of the articular surface of each of
the metatarsals and passes distally to attach near the dorsal edge of the articular
surface of each of the proximal phalanges. The capsule in this region is very thin
and is reinforced by the tendons of the long extensor muscles of the anterior leg. The
tendons begin to expand into fibrous sheets at, or near, the MTPJs and are called
extensor expansions. Occasionally situated between the tendons and the joint cap-
sule dorsally are bursae [2]. On the plantar surface, the capsule attaches quite proxi-
mally on the metatarsal heads, approximately 5 mm posterior to the border of the

Fig. 1.2 The presence of


lesser MPJ and IPJ
sesamoids is variable
1 Anatomy of the Intermetatarsal, Lesser Metatarsophalangeal, and Lesser… 5

articular surface. Distally, the plantar portion of the capsule attaches near the plantar
edge of the articular surface of the proximal phalanx.
Plantar metatarsophalangeal (MTPJ) ligaments (plantar plates, see below) rein-
force the inferior aspect of the capsule and completely blend with it. The capsule is
reinforced laterally and medially by strong metatarsophalangeal collateral liga-
ments as well as lateral and medial metatarsoglenoid suspensory ligaments [6]. The
collateral ligaments also serve to restrict abduction and adduction as well as rotation
at the joints (Fig. 1.3).
Plantar Plate and Collateral Ligaments
There are many different names for the plantar plates and collateral ligaments, and
there is no standardized nomenclature. As described below, the plantar plate has
also been called the plantar metatarsophalangeal ligament, plantar pad, and glenoid
ligament. The medial and lateral proper collateral ligaments which run from the
metatarsal to the phalanx are also simply called the metatarsophalangeal collateral
ligaments. And finally, the medial and lateral accessory collateral ligaments which
run from the metatarsal to the plantar plate are also called the metatarsoglenoid liga-
ment or suspensory ligament (Figs. 1.3 and 1.4).
There are no dorsal ligaments per se, but the dorsal aspect of the capsules is
reinforced by the extensor tendons and their expansions. The plantar metatarsopha-
langeal ligaments contribute to the overall strength of the plantar aspect of the
capsule and are specialized in that they are partially fibrocartilaginous and form the

7
8
2

1a
3
4
6

1b

Fig. 1.3 Plantar plate and collateral ligaments. Labels: 1A = plantar plate origin (thinner),
1B = plantar plate insertion (thicker), 2 = proper collateral ligament, 3 = accessory collateral liga-
ment, 4 = flexor tendons, 5 = flexor tendon sheath, 6 = plantar aponeurosis attaching into the plan-
tar plate, 7 = metatarsal, 8 = proximal phalanx
6 B. A. Richardson et al.

Fig. 1.4 Cross section of 6 5


the metatarsophalangeal
joint. Labels: 1 = joint
capsule, 2 = extensor
expansion with the sling 1
and wing, 3 = deep
2
transverse metatarsal
ligament, 4 = plantar plate,
5 = EDL, 6 = EDB,
7 = interossei within the
extensor sling,
8 = lumbrical with
connections to the plantar
plate, 9 = FDL, 10 = FDB,
11 = flexor tendon sheath 7

4
9
10 8
11

plantar plates, or plantar pads, of the MTPJs. The deep transverse metatarsal liga-
ment attaches to the sides of the plantar plate between adjacent metatarsals
(Fig. 1.4). The medial and lateral suspensory or metatarsoglenoid ligaments are
also very strong and extend from the more dorsal aspects of the metatarsals to the
sides of the plantar plate to which they attach [6] (Fig. 1.4). The plantar MTPJ liga-
ments, or glenoid ligaments, which form the plantar plate, reinforce the capsule
inferiorly and blend with it such that the deep surfaces of these ligaments are lined
with synovial membranes. The plantar plates are fibrocartilaginous thickenings
within the plantar ligaments that average 18.8 mm in length (mean 20 mm for the
second and third toes; mean 17 mm for the fourth and fifth toes) [7]. Most research
related to the plantar plates has been carried out on the second MTPJ. The plantar
plates are composed primarily of type I collagen and a minimal amount of elastin
fibers [8].
In the lesser toes, the plantar plates are located deep to the metatarsal head and
serve as the central attachment for ligamentous, tendinous, and capsular structures
at the MTPJs (Fig. 1.4). Each plate is tightly bound to the proximal phalanx by a
thick medial and lateral longitudinal bundles of fibers that attach directly adjacent
to the articular surface of the proximal phalanx, thus forming a socket for the head
of the metatarsus. Proximally the plantar plates are loosely bound to the head of the
metatarsals but have strong fibrous proximal attachments consisting of the collateral
ligaments and plantar fascia [2, 7] (Fig. 1.3). These attachments permit the plantar
plates to move with the phalanges during flexion and extension of the MTPJs (e.g.,
1 Anatomy of the Intermetatarsal, Lesser Metatarsophalangeal, and Lesser… 7

during ambulation). The superior surface of the plate is smooth which glides along
the metatarsal head during ambulation [9]. The edges of the plantar plates of the
second, third, and fourth MTPJs are attached to the deep transverse intermetatarsal
ligament (Fig. 1.4). The medial edge of the plantar plate of the fifth MTPJ is also
attached to the deep transverse intermetatarsal ligament. The inferior surface of
each plantar plate of the lesser digits is marked by a smooth groove formed by the
flexor tendons as they cross the joint. The superior surface of the deep fibers of the
central slip of the plantar aponeurosis of the foot also attaches to the inferior aspect
of each of the plantar plates to form a sheath around the flexor tendons (Fig. 1.3).
The collateral ligaments of the lesser MTPJs are paired and triangular-shaped
ligaments that extend from the tubercles on the dorsolateral and dorsomedial aspects
of the metatarsals to tubercles on the lateral and medial plantar aspects of the bases
of the proximal phalanges (Fig. 1.3). To distinguish the collateral ligaments from
the adjacent paired metatarsoglenoid ligaments, Sarrafian refers to them as the
metatarsophalangeal collateral ligaments [6]. Deland et al. refer to these ligaments
as lateral and medial proper collateral ligaments [7]. Sarrafian describes the meta-
tarsoglenoid ligaments as passing from the inferior aspects of the tubercles on the
metatarsals to the medial and lateral sides of the plantar plates. The metatarsogle-
noid ligaments are also referred to as suspensory ligaments as they assist in the
suspension of the plantar plates [6]. Deland et al. call the suspensory ligaments
accessory collateral ligaments [7]. The metatarsoglenoid ligaments fan out as they
pass inferiorly to suspend the plantar plates and blend with the more anterior meta-
tarsophalangeal collateral ligaments [6, 10]. Loretz and colleagues found in the dis-
section of 103 lesser MTPJs that the collateral and suspensory ligaments are distinct
structures at proximal attachment to the metatarsal tubercles and blend distally with
one another in 68% of the cases. In all dissections, the collateral ligaments attached
to the tubercles of the proximal phalanges distally. In 32% of the joints dissected,
the collateral and suspensory ligaments were fused together throughout their course
and appeared as one triangular-shaped ligament [10] (Fig. 1.3).
The four lumbricals insert, in part, into the distal plantar aspect of tibial side of the
plantar plate. Both plantar and dorsal interossei possess fibers that insert into the
plantar plates as well [7]. Deland and colleagues also reported that fibers of the ten-
dons of the transverse head of the adductor hallucis, flexor digiti minimi brevis, and
abductor digiti minimi attach to the plantar plates of the lesser toes. Moreover, the
flexor digitorum longus (FDL) and flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) tendons and the
extensor hood and sling are also closely associated with the plantar plates of the lesser
toes and contribute to the stability of the MTPJs [9]. Johnson et al. observed the flexor
tendon sheath is situated centrally within the shallow groove on the superior surface
of the plantar plate and is firmly anchored by a fibrous pulley. The FDB tendon, which
splits to accommodate the FDL tendon at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint, is
inferior to the FDL tendon with the FDB inserting bilaterally onto the middle phalan-
geal base and the FDL inserting onto the inferior surface of the distal phalanges [8]
(Fig. 1.5).
8 B. A. Richardson et al.

Fig. 1.5 Plantar foot


containing the FDL, FHL,
quadratus plantae, and
lumbricals (not all four
layers of the plantar
muscles are shown).
Labels: 1 = FHL, 2 = FDL,
3 = lumbricals (all four
lumbricals lie plantar to the
DTML, 4 = quadratus 3
plantae
1

The extensor hood and sling is the fibroaponeurotic expansion of the extensor
digitorum longus (EDL) tendon sheath and insert directly onto the plantar plate, the
deep transverse intermetatarsal ligament, and the base of the proximal phalanx
(Fig. 1.6a, b). The extensor mechanism, along with the lumbricals and interosseous
tendons, contributes to the stability of the MTPJ in stance and during ambulation [11].
The anatomical unit consisting of the proximal phalanx, the plantar plate, the
collateral ligaments (both proper and accessory), and the attachments of the above
muscles, fibroaponeurotic dorsal expansion, and deep transverse intermetatarsal
ligament is referred to by Sarrafian and colleagues as the phalangeal apparatus and
represents the main articular unit of the ball of the foot [6].
Functionally, the plantar plates (phalangeal apparatus; see above) of the lesser
metatarsophalangeal joints play a significant role in the stability of the lesser MTP
joints as well as sustaining substantial tensile loads in the longitudinal direction
making up an integral part of the windlass mechanism [7]. In addition, the fibrocar-
tilaginous makeup of the plantar plates permits them to withstand compressive
loads, thereby acting supportive articular surfaces for the metatarsal heads, similar
to the menisci in the knee. Clinically, the plantar plates are also important in that
pathological changes to the plates can lead to metatarsalgia, MTPJ instability, plan-
tar plate rupture, and toe deformities such as hammertoe, claw toe, and medial
crossover toe deformity [9].
1 Anatomy of the Intermetatarsal, Lesser Metatarsophalangeal, and Lesser… 9

a b 3 1 2 3A 3B

4
6 5
5
4

3
7

1 3

Fig. 1.6 (a, b) Top and side views. (a) top view labels: 1 = EDL, 2 = EDB, 3 = interossei (second
MTPJ), 4 = extensor sling, 5 = extensor wing or hood, 6 = DTML, 7 = lumbrical. (b) side view
labels: 1 = extensor sling, 2 = extensor wing or hood, 3 = EDL, 3A = central slip middle phalanx
insertion of the EDL, 3B = terminal slip distal phalanx insertion of the EDL, 4 = DTML, 5 = inter-
ossei, 6 = lumbrical

Movements of the Lesser Metatarsophalangeal Joints

The lesser MTPJs are biaxial ellipsoidal joints; therefore movement is about two
axes. One axis is in the transverse and frontal planes, perpendicular to the sagittal
plane, permitting movements of plantar flexion and dorsiflexion or flexion and
extension. The other axis is in the sagittal and frontal planes, perpendicular to the
transverse plane, permitting the movements of abduction and adduction. The meta-
tarsophalangeal collateral and suspensory ligaments function to restrict the degree
of plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of these joints (Loretz et al. 1984). In addition,
the suspensory ligaments, as a result of their attachment to the plantar plate, assist
in the control of abduction and adduction. The glenoid ligament/plantar plate unit
moves with the MTPJ through extension and flexion.
The range of extension at the MTPJs is much greater than that of flexion, while
the range of abduction and adduction is quite small. The range of extension is
50–60°, while that of flexion is 30–40° [2]. When the foot is in the plantigrade posi-
tion, the MTPJs are extended by about 25°, as the proximal phalanges are angled
anterosuperiorly from the metatarsal heads which are in contact with the ground.
10 B. A. Richardson et al.

Some degree of abduction accompanies extension. Adduction and abduction also


occur as independent movements, but their ranges are quite limited. As in the hand,
the freest ranges of movement for abduction and adduction occur when the MTPJs
are extended as this optimizes the line of pull of the interossei muscles which act to
abduct and adduct most of the lesser digits. Even in this position, however, abduc-
tion and abduction of the toes is quite limited [12]. The abductor digiti minimi and
the third plantar interosseous muscle act to abduct and adduct the fifth toe.

Innervation of the Lesser Metatarsophalangeal Joints

Innervation of the MTPJs is provided by the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve
and the medial plantar nerve to the second, third, and fourth MTPJs. The fifth MTPJ
is supplied by the superficial branch of the lateral plantar nerve and the lateral dorsal
cutaneous nerve. In addition, the lateral dorsal cutaneous nerve also assists in the
innervation of the fourth MTPJ, and the deep peroneal assists in the innervation of
the second MTPJ [3].

Blood Supply of the Lesser Metatarsophalangeal Joints

Nonunion, delayed union, and avascular osteonecrosis of the lesser metatarsal head
are possible complications of distal osteotomies of the lesser metatarsal. These
complications are a result of iatrogenic disruption of the blood supply [13]. Thus,
knowledge of the vascular supply to the MTPJs is important when correcting vari-
ous deformities such as claw toe deformities and metatarsalgia by distal osteoto-
mies of the lesser metatarsals.
The metatarsal heads receive their blood supply from two main sources: the dor-
sal and plantar metatarsal arteries, both of which are branches of the posterior tibial
artery. Petersen and colleagues also showed that the intraosseous arterial supply of
the metatarsal head differs from that in the diaphysis. There are numerous arterial
anastomoses between the vascular network of the bone and periosteum, whereas the
arterial supply of the head consists of terminal end arteries. Thus, the metatarsal
beads are more susceptible to osteonecrosis as a result of vascular injury than the
diaphysis [13].

Interphalangeal Joints

The interphalangeal joints of the toes (IPJ) are the articulations between the prox-
imal and middle and middle and distal phalanges of the lesser toes and between
the proximal and distal phalanges of the hallux. They are all ginglymus or hinge
1 Anatomy of the Intermetatarsal, Lesser Metatarsophalangeal, and Lesser… 11

joints that have their axes of movement in the frontal and transverse planes, per-
pendicular to the sagittal plane, permitting plantar flexion and dorsiflexion or
flexion and extension of the toes. Typically, there are nine IPJs per foot, two for
each of the lesser digits and one for the hallux. The two in each of the lesser toes
are referred to as proximal and distal IPJs. In approximately 40% of the popula-
tion, the middle and distal phalanges of the fifth toe are fused; consequently, no
distal IPJ exists [1].

Components of the Interphalangeal Joints

The head of each proximal and middle phalanx resembles a pulley, and the
base of the middle and distal phalanges possesses a reciprocally curved double
concavity that fits into the pulley. The phalanges of the toes are smaller than
those of the fingers, and often the joints between the middle and distal phalan-
ges in the more lateral toes are ankylosed and nonfunctional (see paragraph
above).
Each IPJ possesses a joint capsule that is thin dorsally and thickened by liga-
ments plantarly and bilaterally. Dorsally, the capsules reinforced dorsally by the
long extensor tendons as they pass to their insertion on the dorsal aspects of the
middle and distal phalanges. The capsules are strengthened medially and laterally
by collateral ligaments. These ligaments for the proximal IPJ extend from the tuber-
cles on the dorsomedial and dorsolateral aspects of the proximal phalanx to medial
and lateral tubercles on the plantar aspect of the base of the middle phalanx. For
each distal IPJ, the collateral ligaments extend from the dorsomedial and dorsolat-
eral tubercles on the middle phalanx to the medial and lateral tubercles on the base
of the distal phalanx.
On the plantar surfaces, the IPJs are reinforced by strong fibrous plantar liga-
ments, similar to the plantar ligaments of the MTPJs [2]. Moreover, the plantar liga-
ments of the IPJs may be thickened by cartilage (plantar plates), similar to those of
the MTPJs [3]. Generally, the capsules and ligaments of the IPJs are tighter than
those of the MTPJs.
Although inconsistent, sesamoid bones may be associated with the IPJs. When
present, they are most commonly found in the IPJs of the hallux and the proximal
IPJs of the second and third toes (Fig. 1.2).

Movements of the Interphalangeal Joints

As hinge joints, the only movements permitted at the IPJs are flexion and extension.
The range of motion for flexion is greater than extension, with the latter being lim-
ited by the plantar and collateral ligaments. Flexion and extension are more exten-
sive at the proximal IPJ than the distal IPJ [2].
12 B. A. Richardson et al.

Innervation of the Interphalangeal Joints

Innervation of the IPJs is provided by the proper plantar and proper dorsal digital
nerves. The medial dorsal cutaneous nerve assists in the innervation of the IPJ of the
hallux, while the superficial branch of the lateral plantar nerve is sole innervation of
the IPJs of the fifth toe [3].

 uscular Involvement in Movement and Stability


M
of the Lesser MTPJ and IPJS

Both intrinsic and extrinsic muscles act on the lesser metatarsophalangeal and inter-
phalangeal joints. This section organizes these muscles into those that are located
within the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the foot and those that are located within
the plantar surface of the foot.

Dorsal Foot Extrinsic and Intrinsic Muscles

Extrinsic and intrinsic muscles acting on the lesser MTPJ and IPJs are found on
both the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the foot. On the dorsum, the following mus-
cles act on the lesser MTP and IP joints.
Extensor Digitorum Longus (EDL)
This pennate muscle is situated at the lateral part of the anterior leg, located later-
ally to tibialis anterior and superficially to extensor hallucis longus (Fig. 1.7). It
takes origin from the lateral condyle of the tibia, the proximal two-thirds to three-
fourths of the anterior surface of the body of the fibula, the proximal part of the
interosseous membrane, the fascia cruris, and the intermuscular septa between it
and the tibialis anterior medially and the fibularis (peroneus) laterally. As the
muscle passes distally, it becomes tendinous in the inferior part of the leg and
travels deep to the superior extensor retinaculum where it divides into two ten-
dons. Deep to the superior retinaculum, it travels with the peroneus tertius or fibu-
laris tertius. It splits into four tendons as it passes deep to the inferior extensor
retinaculum through the lateral loop along with the tendon of the peroneus tertius
or fibularis tertius where they are enclosed in a synovial sheath. The four tendons
pass distally to each of the four lesser toes (Fig. 1.7). As the tendons approach the
heads of the metatarsals, they spread out as membranous extension expansions.
Joining the lateral side of the tendons to the second, third, and fourth digits are
the tendons of the extensor digitorum brevis (see below). The four tendons split
further to insert on both the distal and middle phalanges forming parts of the
extensor expansion complex (Fig. 1.6a, b). Extensor digitorum longus extends the
1 Anatomy of the Intermetatarsal, Lesser Metatarsophalangeal, and Lesser… 13

Fig. 1.7 Extensor digitorum longus. Labels:


1 = EDL, 2 = interosseous membrane,
3 = tibia, 4 = fibula, 5 = superior extensor
retinaculum, 6 = inferior extensor
retinaculum, 7 = EDL trifurcation with
central slip insertion into the middle phalanx 1
and terminal slip insertion into the distal
phalanx 2

4
6

four lesser toes at the IP and MP joints. It also dorsiflexes the ankle and may al so
be a minor evertor and/or pronator of the foot [12]. EDL is innervated by the deep
fibular (peroneal) nerve and is provided with arterial blood from the anterior tibial
artery.
Extensor Digitorum Brevis (EDB)
This muscle is broad and thin. It takes origin from a tubercle on the superolateral
aspect of the calcaneus just anterior to the sinus tarsi. It also partially arises from the
interosseous talocalcaneal ligament of the sinus tarsi and from the stem of the infe-
rior extensor retinaculum. It passes diagonally across the dorsum of the foot medi-
ally and divides into four bellies and tendons which continue distally toward the
first, second, third, and fourth digits. The most medial and largest tendon inserts
onto the dorsal surface of the base of the first phalanx of the hallux and is called
extensor hallucis brevis. The remaining slips insert into the lateral sides of the
extensor digitorum longus tendons to the second, third, and fourth toes just distal to
the MPJs of these digits and contribute to the extensor expansion (Fig. 1.6a, b).
EDB acts to assist the extension of the phalanges of the second, third, and fourth
toes at the IPJs and MPJs. If EDL and EDB work alone without contribution of the
plantar intrinsic muscles of the foot (e.g., lumbricals), they extend the MPJs by
tightening the extensor sling and pulling the plantar pad up against the proximal
14 B. A. Richardson et al.

phalanx and metatarsal. When in this position, they are unable to extend the IPJs
because the wing of the extensor expansion is loose and the distal portions of the
tendons are slack.
EDB is typically innervated by the lateral terminal branch of the deep fibular
(peroneal) nerve (S1, S2). However, when an accessory fibular (peroneal) branch of
the superficial fibular (peroneal) nerve is present, it may help to innervate EDB [14].
Blood is supplied by the lateral tarsal branch of the dorsalis pedis artery as well as
the perforating fibular (peroneal) artery as it anastomoses with the lateral tarsal
branch.

Plantar Foot Extrinsic and Intrinsic Muscles

The extrinsic and intrinsic muscles on the plantar surface of the foot that act on the
IPJs and MPJs are as follows.
Flexor Digitorum Longus (FDL)
Found in the deep posterior compartment of the leg, this muscle is long and thin and
takes origin from the posterior surface of the tibia, distal to the soleal line and
medial to the vertical line, and from the fascia covering the muscles as well as the
adjacent intermuscular septum. It is located medial to the tibialis posterior and
flexor hallucis longus at its origin. As FDL narrows to a tendon distally, it passes
superficial to the tendon of the tibialis posterior just superior to the medial malleolar
sulcus. It then passes posterior to the medial malleolus in a groove along with tibi-
alis posterior. At this point it is separated from the tibialis posterior tendon by a
fibrous septum from the flexor retinaculum with each tendon being housed in its
own synovial sheath. The FDL tendon continues distally into the foot to lie adjacent
to the medial side of the sustentaculum tali, superficial to the calcaneotibial liga-
ment. As it does so, it passes deep to the abductor hallucis and pierces the medial
intermuscular septum of the plantar surface of the foot. At this point it also lies
superficial to the tendon of flexor hallucis longus from which it frequently receives
a tendinous slip (vinculum). It then expands, is joined by the quadratus plantae, and
divides into four tendons which insert into the bases of the distal phalanges of the
second, third, fourth, and fifth toes (Fig. 1.5). Each of these tendons passes through
an opening in the corresponding tendon of the flexor digitorum brevis (see below)
opposite the base of the proximal phalanx (Fig. 1.8).
FDL functions to flex the lesser four toes at the distal interphalangeal joints and,
as it continues to contract, at the proximal interphalangeal joints and at the metatar-
sophalangeal joints, and, finally, it assists in plantar flexion of the ankle. FDL is
innervated by the tibial nerve (S2, S3) and receives its blood supply via a muscular
branch of the posterior tibial artery.
Flexor Digitorum Brevis (FDB)
The flexor digitorum brevis is situated deep to the central portion of the plantar
aponeurosis from which it takes partial origin. It is also located between the medial
1 Anatomy of the Intermetatarsal, Lesser Metatarsophalangeal, and Lesser… 15

Fig. 1.8 The flexor digitorum


brevis originates from the calcaneal
tuberosity and plantar aponeurosis,
divides into four tendon slips, and
inserts into toes 2–5. Within each
tendon slip, the FDB splits into two
slips at the level of the proximal
phalanx base, then reunites, and
then splits again to insert onto the
sides of the middle phalanges

and lateral intermuscular septa from which it also takes partial origin. Its deep sur-
face is closely associated with the lateral plantar vessels and nerves by a thin fascial
layer. It arises by a narrow tendon from the plantar aponeurosis, the medial and
lateral intermuscular septa, and the medial process of the calcaneus tuberosity. The
muscle runs distally in the center of the plantar aspect of the foot, and in approxi-
mately the middle of the sole of the foot, it divides into four tendons, one for each
of the lateral four toes. Each of these tendons continues distally to run within the
tendon sheaths of each of the corresponding tendons of FDL. At the bases of the
proximal phalanges, each tendon splits into two slips. These slips diverge from one
another to allow the passage of the tendons of FDL and then reunite distally, par-
tially crossing over one another or decussating as they reunite and assist in forming
a groove or channel for the tendon of FDL to which they now lie deep. The tendons
of the FDB divide again and insert on the sides of the middle phalanges of the lesser
toes (Fig. 1.8).
The FDB functions to flex the lateral four toes at the proximal interphalangeal
joints. Continuing to contract, it will flex the proximal phalanges of the lesser
four toes at the lesser MPJs. The FDB is innervated by the medial plantar nerve
(L5, S1, S2). The medial plantar artery supplies the flexor digitorum brevis
muscle.
16 B. A. Richardson et al.

Flexor Digiti Minimi (FDM)


Located in the lateral aspect of the third layer of muscles of the plantar foot, it arises
from the base of the fifth metatarsal and from the sheath of the fibularis (peroneus)
longus. It also takes origin from the plantar aponeurosis. The muscle travels distally
parallel to the fifth metatarsal and inserts on the lateral side of the plantar aspect of
the base of the proximal phalanx of the fifth digit along with the insertion of the
abductor digiti minimi (see below). Deeper fibers often pass along the lateral aspect
of the fifth metatarsal and may insert as part of the extensor expansion of the fifth
digit or on the metatarsal shaft and head as a separate muscle sometimes referred to
as opponens digiti minimi. The FDM flexes the proximal phalanx of the fifth digit at
the MTPJ and helps to abduct the fifth digit.
Abductor Digiti Minimi (ADM)
The abductor digiti minimi lies along the lateral border of the foot with its medial
margin adjacent to the lateral plantar vessels and nerves. It originates from the lat-
eral process of the calcaneal tuberosity as well as, to some extent, from the medial
process deep to the origin of the FDB. It also arises from the plantar surface of the
calcaneus between the two processes, from the plantar aponeurosis as it passes to
the fifth metatarsal, and from the lateral intermuscular septum. It then passes dis-
tally in the plantar surface of the foot along the lateral border and lateral longitudi-
nal arch of the foot. Prior to its insertion, its tendon runs in a groove on the plantar
surface of the fifth metatarsal. It inserts, along with FDM, into the lateral side of the
plantar aspect of the base of the proximal phalanx of the fifth toe. The ADM, as its
name implies, abducts the fifth toe and also helps to flex the fifth digit. ADM is
innervated by the lateral plantar nerve (S 1, S2), the other terminal branch of the
tibial nerve. Blood is supplied by lateral plantar artery (the other terminal branch of
the posterior tibial artery).
Quadratus Plantae (Flexor Digitorum Accessories)
The quadratus plantae arises by two heads that are separated from each other by the
calcaneal attachment of the long plantar ligament. The medial head is the larger and
more muscular of the two heads and takes origin from the medial plantar surface of
the calcaneus, inferior to the groove created by the tendon of flexor hallucis longus.
The more tendinous and flatter lateral head arises from the lateral plantar surface of
the calcaneus, just anterior to the lateral process of the calcaneal tuberosity and
from the long plantar ligament. The two heads pass distally where they may join one
another prior to inserting on the tendon of FDL just proximal to its point of dividing
into four tendinous slips (Fig. 1.5). One variation is that the medial head joins the
lateral head in part, while a medial tendinous slip extends to the FDL independently.
In some cases, the medial head may fail to join the lateral head and, as a tendinous
prolongation, may pass deep to the FDL and divide into slips to some of the digital
tendons of the long flexor muscle.
Quadratus plantae acts to assist FDL in flexion of the distal phalanges of the lesser
toes. It does so by helping to straighten the line of pull of the tendons of FDL so they
have a more direct line of pull for flexion of the lesser toes [12]. Innervation is provided
by the lateral plantar nerve (S2, S3). Blood is supplied by the lateral plantar artery.
1 Anatomy of the Intermetatarsal, Lesser Metatarsophalangeal, and Lesser… 17

Lumbricals
These are four small worm-shaped muscles that are accessory to the FDL, from
which they arise, and are numbered one through four from the medial side of the
foot. They tend to decrease in size from medial to lateral. As alluded to above, the
lumbricals take origin from the tendons of FDL at the level of the separation of
these tendons into four slips. Each lumbrical, except for the first (i.e., the most
medial), originates from two adjacent tendons of FDL. The first lumbrical arises
only from the medial aspect of the first tendinous slip of FDL. Each lumbrical then
passes distally accompanying the tendon of FDL that lies lateral to the lumbrical.
For example, the first lumbrical courses distally alongside the first slip of the FDL,
while the second lumbrical passes alongside the second slip of the long flexor
tendon and so forth. Each lumbrical crosses the medial side of its respective meta-
tarsophalangeal joint and continues alongside the medial aspect of its respective
digit (i.e., digits two through five) (Fig. 1.5).
The lumbricals all pass plantar to the deep transverse metatarsal ligament
(Fig. 1.4). Each inserts into the medial aspect of the extensor expansion, some-
what more dorsally than plantarly. Thus, the first lumbrical inserts on the extensor
expansion of the second toe, the second on that of the third toe, and so on. The
lumbricals contribute to the wing portion of the extensor hood of each of these
digits (Fig. 1.6b).
The actions of the lumbricals include flexion of the MPJ of digits two through
five and extension of the IPJs of the same digits. The first lumbrical is innervated by
the medial plantar nerve (L5, S 1), while two through four are innervated by the
deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve (S1, S2). Blood supply is from the plantar
metatarsal arteries, branches of the deep plantar arterial arch.
Plantar Interossei
Found in the fourth layer of the plantar aspect of the foot, there are three plantar
interossei and four dorsal interossei (Fig. 1.1a, b). They are similar to the interossei
of the hand, except that those of the hand are arranged relative to the third digit
which is the midline of the hand, while those of the foot are arranged relative to the
second digit which is the midline of the foot.
Lying inferior to the metatarsals, the plantar interossei take origin from the bases
and medial sides of the shafts of the third, fourth, and fifth metatarsals. The second
and third plantar interossei, in addition, may arise in part from the tendon sheath of
peroneus longus. The plantar interossei insert on the medial sides of the bases of the
proximal phalanges, the MPJ joint capsules, and the extensor expansions of the
same digits from which they originate. All of the plantar interossei pass dorsal to or
deep to the deep transverse metatarsal ligament (Fig. 1.1b).
The plantar interossei adduct (mnemonic, PAD) the third, fourth, and fifth
toes toward the midline of the foot (i.e., second toe). They also assist in flexion
of the proximal and extension of the distal phalanges of the third, fourth, and
fifth toes. Innervation is provided by the superficial (third plantar interosseous)
and deep branches of the lateral plantar nerve (S2, S3) (fourth and fifth plantar
interossei).
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business may be said to have passed the experimental stage, and its
growth from 1830 was rapid. William Lathrop, who has made a study of
it, has traced, perhaps better than any other, the coincident growth of the
market and the industry. The raw material was at first mainly scrap
copper, old ship sheathing, kettles, boilers and stills, collected by the
Connecticut peddlers. More and more copper was imported until after
1850 when the mining of western copper began developing. All of the
zinc was imported until about 1870.
[198] Lathrop, p. 89.
Figure 48. Hiram W. Hayden
Figure 49. Israel Holmes
At first they rolled brass only for their own use, but new demands for it
were arising. By 1840 Chauncey Jerome had developed the cheap brass
clock. The discovery and refining of petroleum created a lamp industry.
The pin machinery, invented by Dr. J. I. Howe, Fowler, and Slocum &
Jillson, opened up another great outlet. Daguerreotype plates gave
another, and metallic cartridges another, while the invention of the
telegraph enormously extended the use of copper wire. The Waterbury
men were best able to meet these new demands, as they were the only
ones in the country with the facilities and experience needed, and they
“got in first.” While the rolling and the drawing processes were imported
bodily from England, and have continued almost unchanged, Yankee
ingenuity was constantly at work devising new articles made of brass
and improving the machinery for making the old ones.
With the increasing demand, firms began to multiply. Israel Holmes,
who had been with the Scovills for ten years, started Holmes &
Hotchkiss in 1830, and with English workmen and machinery made wire
and tubing for the market. After several changes in partnership, the firm
became Brown & Elton in 1838. Meantime, Holmes, with Israel Coe,
Anson Phelps and John Hungerford, started the Wolcottville Brass
Company in 1834, in what is now Torrington. They built up a prosperous
business in sheet-brass kettles, but lost heavily when Hiram W. Hayden,
then with Scovill, invented the spinning process. Their property was
eventually sold to Lyman Coe, and became the Coe Brass Company.
The Waterbury Brass Company was started in 1845, with Holmes as
president. Associated with him were H. W. Hayden, Elton, and Lyman
Coe, son of Israel Coe. In 1853 Holmes founded Holmes, Booth &
Haydens,[199] and in 1869 Holmes, Booth & Atwood, which two years
later was forced to change its name to Plume & Atwood on account of its
resemblance to the older company.
[199] There were two Haydens in the firm, H. W. Hayden was in charge of the
manufacturing and H. H. Hayden in charge of marketing the product.

Israel Holmes stands out among the indomitable personalities who


built up the brass industry. In addition to his invaluable work for the
Scovills, he started five of the strongest firms in the valley, and was the
first president of three.
Benedict & Coe became Benedict & Burnham in 1834, and from this
firm has come the American Pin Company, the Waterbury Button
Company and the Waterbury Clock and Watch companies. Anson
Phelps soon withdrew from the Wolcottville Brass Company and started
Smith & Phelps at Derby in 1836. Encouraged by its success, Phelps
planned to organize a large manufacturing community there, but he was
held up by a man who raised the price of some necessary land from
$5,000 to $30,000, so he moved two miles up the river and founded what
is now the city of Ansonia. In 1854 the firm was incorporated as the
Ansonia Brass & Copper Company. Mr. George P. Cowles, who came
from Wolcottville in 1848, was its executive head for forty years until his
death. From it sprang the Ansonia Clock Company, of Brooklyn, Wallace
& Sons, which failed in 1896 and became part of the Coe Brass
Company, and a number of other companies. The Chase Rolling Mills
Company developed from the Waterbury Manufacturing Company,
Benedict & Burnham, and Holmes, Booth & Haydens. Randolph &
Clowes came down through Brown & Brothers, and Brown & Elton from
the old Holmes & Hotchkiss firm.
HENRY AARON BENEDICT,
ABEL PORTER &
GRILLEY, 1790 1812
CO., 1802
Pewter Buttons Bone and ivory buttons.
Begins making brass
Started making brass
buttons
ones 1823
LEAVENWORTH,
HAYDEN &
SCOVILL, 1811
Fred’k Leavenworth, BENEDICT & COE,
David Hayden, J. M. 1829
L. Scovill, James Aaron Benedict, Israel
Croft, Israel Holmes. Coe, Jas. Croft
J. M. L. & W. H. HOLMES &
SCOVILL, 1827 HOTCHKISS,
Israel Holmes, H. W. 1830
Hayden Israel Holmes,
Horace
Hotchkiss,
Philo Brown
Howe Mfg. Co., BENEDICT & WOLCOTTVILLE BRASS CO., 1834
Darby; Slocum & BURNHAM, 1834 Israel Coe, Israel Holmes, Anson G.
Jillson, A. & Chas. Phelps, John Hungerford, Geo. P. Cowles,
Poughkeepsie, N. Benedict, G. W. John Davol—Torrington, Conn.
Y., and Fowler Burnham,
Bros., A. S. Chase, F. A.
Northford, Ct., Mason, Geo.
developed Somers
successful pin
machinery
BROWN & ELTON,
1838
Philo Brown, J. P.
Elton—Sold to SMITH & PHELPS, 1836
Brown & Bros. and WATERBURY Anson G. Phelps, Geo. P.
Holmes, Booth & BUTTON Cowles,
Haydens CO., 1849 Thos. Wallace, Thos.
Davol organised James.
AMERICAN Brooklyn First at Derby—Co. founded
PIN CO., 1846 Brass & Copper at
Co. in 1853 Ansonia in 1844
WATERBURY HUMPHREYSVILLE
BRASS CO., COPPER CO., 1849
1845 Thos. James,
Israel WALLACE & Seymour, Ct.
Holmes, J. P. SON, 1848
Elton, H. W. Thos. Wallace—
Hayden, Co. failed in
Lyman W. 1895—Plant sold
Coe, son of to Coe Br.
Israel Coe Co. in 1896
SCOVILL MFG. NEW HAVEN
CO., 1850 COPPER CO., 1855
The Scovill Brothers, WATERBURY
F. J. CLOCK CO.,
Kingsbery, Sr. 1857
BROWN & BROS.,
1851 COE BRASS CO.,
Philo Brown— 1863
Failed in 1886. L. W. Coe, Chas.
Geo H. Clowes F. Brooker
HOLMES, BOOTH & ANSONIA BRASS & COPPER CO., 1854
HAYDENS, 1853 Anson Phelps, Geo. P. Cowles
Israel Holmes, G. W.
Burnham, A. S.
Chase,
L. J. Atwood
Holmes, Booth & BRIDGEPORT BRASS CO., ANSONIA CLOCK CO.,
Atwood, 1869. 1865 1878
Name changed to John Davol, F. A. Mason, Brooklyn, N. Y.
PLUME & Geo. Somers,
ATWOOD, 1871 F. J. Kingsbury, Jr.
Israel Holmes, J. C.
Booth, L. J. Atwood
WATERBURY MFG. WATERBURY WATCH CO.,
CO., 1876 1880
A. S. Chase, Henry CHASE ROLLING
S. Chase, Fredk. S. MILL CO., 1900
Chase Henry S. Chase, Fredk. S.
WATERBURY BRASS Chase
SEYMOUR-MFG.
GOODS
CO., 1878
CORPORATION
AMERICAN
RANDOLPH &
BRASS CO.,
CLOWES, 1886
1899 CHASE METAL WORKS, 1914
R. F. Randolph, Geo.
Chas. F.
H. Clowes
Brooker

Figure 50. Genealogy of the Naugatuck Brass Industry

The American Brass Company was formed in 1899, and now


comprises the Waterbury Brass Company, Holmes, Booth & Haydens,
Benedict & Burnham, the Coe Brass Company and the Ansonia Brass &
Copper Company. This is the largest brass company in the world.
Such, briefly, is an outline of the history of the larger companies. To an
outsider their interrelations are almost inextricable. The chart (Fig. 50)
does little more than indicate them. As phases of the business grew,
there was a clearly defined policy of setting them off as separate
enterprises. The American Pin Company, the Clock, Watch and Button
companies, and the Brass Goods Corporation are examples. Only the
more important of these manufacturing companies are shown. While
there has been at times sharp competition among them, it always
stopped short of war, and when facing outside competition the
companies pull together.
Many of the heavy stockholders, as Holmes, Elton, Burnham and
Chase, were interested in several companies. Nearly all of the leaders
were born and grew up in the valley and were full of local spirit. Israel
Coe, Holmes, the Scovill brothers and Phelps, of the earlier order, were
men of great ability, as also Lyman Coe, Cowles and Charles F. Brooker,
of the later generation. The inventions of Hiram W. Hayden vitally
affected the history of four companies. They seriously undermined the
old Wolcottville company, shut the Brooklyn Brass Company out of
important phases of its business, and built up the prosperity of the
Waterbury Brass Company, and Holmes, Booth & Haydens. L. J.
Atwood, of Holmes, Booth & Haydens, and, later, Plume & Atwood, L. S.
White, of Brown & Brothers, and W. N. Weeden, of Benedict & Burnham,
were prolific inventors, and their work contributed to the growth of the
industry.
Other influential men have built machinery for the large companies.
Almon Farrel founded the Farrel Foundry & Machine Company in 1851,
and had two establishments, one in Ansonia and one in Waterbury. The
Waterbury plant was operated for many years by E. C. Lewis as agent.
He bought it in 1880, but as a matter of sentiment retained the old name,
prefixing the word Waterbury. The two plants have come to specialize
somewhat, the Waterbury one building mainly presses and stamping
machines, and the Ansonia one rolling mills and heavy machinery. E. J.
Manville, an expert mechanic from the Pratt & Whitney shop in Hartford,
with his five sons, founded the E. J. Manville Machine Company, which
has built up a wide reputation for its presses and headers. Among the
many others are William Wallace of Wallace & Sons, Ansonia, Charles
Johnson and A. C. Campbell.
The answer, then, to our question as to origin and success of the
Naugatuck brass industry is as follows. It sprang from the local
manufacture of buttons. A small group of able, forceful and ingenious
men developed the best facilities in the country for rolling and drawing
brass, and when new demands came they were the only ones with
experience prepared to meet them. They were originally well situated for
raw material. Later they bought their copper in Baltimore. By the time
copper began coming from the West, the Waterbury companies were
firmly established. Copper is expensive, its unit of weight is the pound
and not the ton, and freight rates are far less important than with steel,
so the industry’s detached location did not outweigh the advantage of its
early start. A large force of workmen skilled in handling brass has been
developed in these factories and no large enterprise could now be
started elsewhere without drawing upon them. Many of these workmen
own their homes, and their relations with the employers have generally
been so friendly that higher wages elsewhere do not seem to attract
them.
Finally, and perhaps most important of all, are the men who have
designed and built the tools used. Connecticut leads all other states in
the ratio of patents to the population, and Waterbury has led the rest of
Connecticut in the proportion of nearly two to one. All the finishing or
“cutting up” shops, as they are locally known, contain highly developed
machinery—nearly all of it special, much of it designed and built in the
shop where it is used.
This includes machinery for making eyelets, hooks and eyes, pins,
cartridges, wire forming machinery, thread rolling, and headers and
stamping machinery. Some of these machines, as, for instance, the last
two mentioned, are more or less standard, but their tool equipment has
been wonderfully developed and is bewildering in its variety. Much of this
machinery has never been made public, and nearly all of it is too special,
too intricate and too varied for description here. It is natural, under these
circumstances, that the mechanics who developed these tools should be
comparatively little known. They have, however, been a vital element in
the Naugatuck brass industry, and should be recognized as successful
American tool builders.
CHAPTER XIX
PHILADELPHIA
Although the commercial manufacture of machinery began in New
England, Philadelphia became, and for a long time remained, the
largest tool building center in the country. Its large population and
nearness to coal, iron and tide water, made this almost inevitable,
but it was hastened by the work of two brilliant mechanics, William
Sellers and William Bement.
Bishop, in his “History of American Manufactures,”[200] says: “In
the invention and construction of machinery and instruments for
practical and scientific purposes, Philadelphia mechanics early
acquired a reputation for skill. The records of original American
invention contain few names more distinguished than those of
Godfrey, the inventor of the quadrant, of Rittenhouse, who made the
first telescope constructed in America, and whose orrery and other
scientific instruments displayed unusual mechanical and
mathematical genius; of Franklin, Evans, Fulton, Fitch, and others
whose inventive and constructive skill have added to the permanent
wealth of the State and the Union.” Of these, Oliver Evans seems to
have affected modern manufacturing methods the most.
[200] Vol. I, p. 576.

Evans was born in Delaware in 1755. He was apprenticed to a


wheelwright, and invented a card machine as early as 1777, but
never followed it up. In 1785 he built a flour mill in Newcastle County,
Del.; and, impatient at the crude methods in use, he began a series
of improvements which form the basis of the modern art of handling
materials. It has been claimed that Evans stole many of these ideas
from the Ellicotts in Maryland. This does not seem probable. Thomas
Ellicott wrote a portion of the “Millwright and Millers Guide” which
Evans published to help introduce his machinery, and in this Ellicott
himself refers to “the elevators, hopper-boys, etc., invented by Oliver
Evans, late of Delaware, though now of Philadelphia.” Evans
developed a number of closely related transporting devices about
which no question is raised and no claims on behalf of the Ellicotts
made; and many years later, in 1812, Evans sued those Ellicotts who
were then operating for infringement of his patents and obtained
judgment. If they could have proved priority it seems natural that
they would have done so.
Evans’ improvements related chiefly to the movement of materials
during the processes of manufacture. He modified the ancient
Egyptian chain of pots, used for irrigation, by using an endless belt
carrying iron buckets so arranged as to fill with dry material from a
boot at the bottom and to empty by gravity into a hopper as they
went over the head pulley. He used a belt conveyor for horizontal
movement, without however the troughing feature which is a later
improvement. When the discharge end was lowest, Evans utilized
gravity to drive it, and called it a “descender.” What Evans called a
“drill” was an “elevator laid horizontally” and provided with wooden
cleats which scraped the grain along the bottom of the box in which it
ran, and was nothing more nor less than our modern flight or scraper
conveyor. Evans’ “conveyor” was a round, wooden shaft on which he
nailed a sheet-iron spiral which pushed the grain along a trough in
which the shaft rotated; and when he wished to stir or dry the
material as he moved it, he broke up the continuous helix into a
number of separate arms arranged spirally. These of course
correspond to the modern screw conveyor. His so-called “hopper-
boy” consisted of a vertical shaft with a horizontal cross bar at its
lower end provided on its lower side with flights which spread the
meal for drying, and slowly worked it in a spiral toward a hopper at
the center. The angle of the flights was adjustable so that the time
allowed for cooling could be varied. He also used pivoted wooden
spouts at the discharge of the elevators to deliver the grain into
different bins. These improvements are said to have effected a
saving of over $30,000 a year in the Ellicott Mill at Patapsco, Md., on
an output of 325 barrels a day.[201] In his patents and various books
Evans shows nearly all of the modern transporting devices in
substantially their present forms.[202]
[201] Paper by Coleman Sellers on “Oliver Evans and his Inventions.”
Journal of the Franklin Institute, Vol. CXXII, p. 1.
[202] Sections of Evans’ mills are shown in the American Machinist of
November 7, 1907, and December 17, 1914. In both cases the conveyor
system was arranged to take material either from wagons on one side of the
mill or from boats on the opposite side.

Evans moved to Philadelphia some time prior to 1790. In 1800 he


had a mill near Third and Market Streets and the next year was
selling mill supplies at Ninth and Market Streets. As a boy he had
become interested in the steam engine. A description of the
Newcomen engine fell into his hands and he was struck with the fact
that the steam was used only to produce a vacuum and saw that
more power could be obtained if it were used to produce pressure.
After his removal to Philadelphia he made an engine 6 inches
diameter by 18 inches stroke, which was running in 1802, grinding
plaster of Paris and sawing wood. It cost, boiler and all, more than
$3700 and nearly impoverished him. Its successful operation,
however, led to an order for an engine to drive a steamboat on the
Mississippi, which was sent to New Orleans but never used for its
original purpose. The boat it was intended for had been stranded
high and dry during a flood, so the engine was set to running a saw
mill and later a cotton press. In 1803 Evans began business as a
regular engine builder and was unquestionably the first one in the
United States. He advocated long stroke engines operating under
high steam pressure, of which he had built fifty by 1816. In 1804 he
built a flat bottomed boat, fitted with a steam driven, chain bucket
dredge, which he called the “Oruktor Amphibolos” or in good English
the Amphibious Digger. It was built more than a mile from the river,
and was mounted on rollers connected with the engine. After moving
around what is now the City Hall Square each day for several days,
the boat walked out Market Street to the Schuykill and into the water;
its rollers were disconnected, a stern paddle wheel substituted, and it
steamed down the Schuykill and around up the Delaware to the city.
In 1805 he advertised a new book, “The Young Engineer’s Guide,”
which he intended to be very complete and “abstruse.” Disappointed
in his application for the extension of his patents and crippled by his
first engine ventures, he issued it much abridged, with only part of
the illustrations planned, and called it “The Abortion of the Young
Engineer’s Guide.” The proportions given in this book for one of his
steam engines were: diameter of cylinder, 20 inches; stroke, 5 feet;
steam pressure, 194 to 220 pounds. The boilers were of cast iron, 30
inches in diameter, 24 feet long, fired at one end, with a single return
flue. An engine was actually built to these proportions for the
Fairmount Water Works. It may be added that the boilers burst on
three different occasions.
In 1807 Evans was established as “Millwright and Engineer” at the
Mars Works at Ninth and Vine Streets. An old description of the plant
says that it consisted of
an iron foundry, mould-maker’s shop, steam engine manufactory, blacksmith’s
shop, and mill-stone manufactory, and a steam engine used for grinding materials
for the use of the works, and for turning and boring heavy cast or wrought iron
work. The buildings occupy one hundred and eighty-eight feet front and about
thirty-five workmen are daily employed. They manufacture all cast or wrought-iron
work for machinery for mills, for grinding grain or sawing timber; for forges, rolling
and slitting-mills, sugar-mills, apple-mills, bark-mills, &c. Pans of all dimensions
used by sugar-boilers, soap-boilers, &c. Screws of all sizes for cotton-presses,
tobacco-presses, paper-presses, cast iron gudgeons, and boxes for mills and
wagons, carriage-boxes, &c., and all kinds of small wheels and machinery for
Cotton and Wool spinning, &c. Mr. Evans also makes steam engines on improved
principles, invented and patented by the proprietor, which are more powerful and
less complicated, and cheaper than others; requiring less fuel, not more than one-
fiftieth part of the coals commonly used. The small one in use at the works is on
this improved principle, and it is of great use in facilitating the manufacture of
others. The proprietor has erected one of his improved steam engines in the town
of Pittsburg, and employed it to drive three pair of large millstones with all the
machinery for cleaning the grain, elevating, spreading, and stirring and cooling the
meal, gathering and bolting, &c., &c. The power is equal to twenty-four horses and
will do as much work as seventy-two horses in twenty-four hours; it would drive
five pair of six-feet millstones, and grind five hundred bushels of wheat in twenty-
four hours.[203]
[203] Freedley: “Philadelphia and its Manufactures,” pp. 54-55.
Philadelphia, 1858.

Incidentally the last sentence is an admirable illustration of the


origin of the term “horse power.” This business was carried on until
Evans’ death. It would be interesting to know how far he influenced
the design of Mississippi river boat engines which have retained the
proportions characteristic of the engines which he first built for that
service.
Evans’ best-known book, “The Young Millwright and Miller’s
Guide,” went through a number of editions and was translated and
published abroad. In this he gives his idea of “The True Path to
Inventions.” It is well worth quoting, as it explains, in part, his own
success as an inventor.
Necessity is called the mother of Invention—but upon inquiry we shall find that
Reason and Experiment bring them forth.—For almost all inventions have resulted
from such steps as the following:
Step I. Is to investigate the fundamental principles of the theory, and process, of
the art or manufacture we wish to improve.
II. To consider what is the best plan, in theory, that can be deduced from, or
founded on, those principles to produce the effect we desire.
III. To inquire whether the theory is already put in practice to the best advantage;
and what are the imperfections or disadvantages of the common process, and
what plans are likely to succeed better.
IV. To make experiments in practice, upon any plans that these speculative
reasonings may suggest, or lead to.—Any ingenious artist, taking the foregoing
steps, will probably be led to improvements on his own art: for we see by daily
experience that every art may be improved. It will, however, be in vain to attempt
improvements unless the mind be freed from prejudice, in favour of established
plans.[204]
[204] pp. 345-346.

Evans was certainly an independent, and probably the first,


inventor of the high pressure steam engine, a type of engine which
he saw was well suited to American pioneer conditions. He was
interested in steam locomotion, and predicted the development of
railways with singular accuracy.
The time will come when people will travel in stages moved by steam engines
from one city to another almost as fast as birds fly—fifteen to twenty miles an hour.
Passing through the air with such velocity—changing the scenes in such rapid
succession—will be the most exhilarating, delightful exercise. A carriage will set
out from Washington in the morning, and the passengers will breakfast at
Baltimore, dine at Philadelphia, and sup at New York the same day.
To accomplish this, two sets of railways will be laid so nearly level as not in any
place to deviate more than two degrees from a horizontal line, made of wood or
iron, on smooth paths of broken stone or gravel, with a rail to guide the carriages
so that they may pass each other in different directions and travel by night as well
as by day; and the passengers will sleep in these stages as comfortably as they do
now in steam stage-boats. A steam engine that will consume from one-quarter to
one-half a cord of wood will drive a carriage 180 miles in twelve hours, with twenty
or thirty passengers, and will not consume six gallons of water. The carriages will
not be overloaded with fuel or water.... And it shall come to pass that the memory
of those sordid and wicked wretches who oppose such improvements will be
execrated by every good man, as they ought to be now.
Posterity will not be able to discover why the Legislature or Congress did not
grant the inventor such protection as might have enabled him to put in operation
these great improvements sooner—he having asked neither money nor a
monopoly of any existing thing.[205]
[205] Evans: Extract from “Address to the people of the United States,”
quoted in the Journal of the Franklin Institute, Vol. CXXII, p. 13.

He practically initiated the modern science of handling materials.


While many of his theories were faulty, his mechanical practice was
seldom wrong. He was a restless man, discontented and inclined to
air his grievances in public. Once, in a fit of pique, he destroyed the
drawings and records of, it is said, more than eighty inventions—an
act which he regretted later. Though frequently disappointed, he was
in the end fairly successful, and was unquestionably one of the
foremost of the early American mechanics.
In Philadelphia, as in New England, many of the early shops made
textile machinery. Arkwright machines were built by James
Davenport at the Globe Mills at the north end of Second Street,
which Washington visited in 1797 when the new Federal
Government inaugurated its policy of developing American
industries. Davenport died soon after, the business ceased and the
factory was sold in 1798. Cotton machinery is said to have been
manufactured also by Eltonhead in 1803.
Philadelphia was then the largest city in the country, with an active
industrial life. It was natural, therefore, that the tools and methods
developed in and about Pawtucket should, sooner or later, take root
there. In 1810 Alfred Jenks, a direct descendant of Joseph Jenks, of
Lynn, having served his time with Samuel Slater in Pawtucket,
moved to Holmesburg, Pa., and started the first factory in
Pennsylvania for making textile machinery. His business grew rapidly
and in 1820 he moved to Bridesburg, now a part of Philadelphia,
bringing his shop along with him on rollers. By 1825 there were thirty
cotton mills in and about the city, most of which he had equipped. As
the demand for woolen machinery arose Jenks met it and he
equipped the first woolen mill built in the state. Under his leadership
and that of his son, Barton H. Jenks, the shop had a wide influence
and was the foremost of the early Philadelphia plants building textile
machinery. Other early shops in this field were those of J. & T. Wood,
Hindle & Sons, James Smith & Company, W. P. Uhlinger &
Company.[206]
[206] Freedley: “Philadelphia and its Manufactures,” pp. 299-302, 427.
Philadelphia, 1858.

The two plants which gave Philadelphia its great reputation for tool
building were those established by Sellers and Bement. Probably no
one has had a greater influence on machine tools in America than
William Sellers. He has been called the Whitworth of America, and
there is a singular parallelism in the work and influence of the two
men. Sellers was born in Pennsylvania in 1824, was educated in a
private school maintained by his father, and later apprenticed to his
uncle, John M. Poole, at Wilmington, Del.[207] When only twenty-one
he took charge of the machine shop of Fairbanks, Bancroft &
Company in Providence, R. I. Three years later he began the
manufacture of machine tools and mill gearing at Thirtieth and
Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, and was soon after joined by Edward
Bancroft, who moved from Providence, the firm becoming Bancroft &
Sellers. John Sellers, Jr., a brother of William, became a partner and
in 1853 they moved to Sixteenth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
Mr. Bancroft died in 1855 and the firm became William Sellers &
Company, which was incorporated in 1886, with William Sellers as
president.
[207] Journal of the Franklin Institute, Vol. CLIX, pp. 365-383.

Bancroft was the inventive member of the firm and Mr. Sellers the
executive. Sellers’ designing ability did not develop until after
Bancroft’s death. His first patent was granted in 1857. In all he was
granted over ninety United States patents and many others in foreign
countries, covering a wide variety of subjects; machine tools of all
kinds, injectors which he introduced into the United States, rifling
machines, riveters, boilers, hydraulic machinery, hoisting cranes,
steam hammers and engines, ordnance, turntables, etc. One of the
best known and most original of Sellers’ machines was the spiral
geared planer patented in 1862, which has always been associated
with his name.
Almost from the first Sellers cut loose from the accepted designs
of the day. He was among the first to realize that red paint, beads
and mouldings, and architectural embellishments were false in
machine design. He introduced the “machine gray” paint which has
become universal; made the form of the machine follow the function
to be performed and freed it from all pockets and beading. Like
Bement he realized that American tools then being built were too
light; and they both put more metal into their machines than was the
practice elsewhere. From the first he adopted standards and
adhered to them so closely that repair parts can be supplied today
for machines made fifty years ago.
In April, 1864, Sellers, as president of the Franklin Institute, read a
paper on “A System of Screw Threads and Nuts,” in which he
proposed the system of screw threads since variously known as the
Sellers, Franklin Institute, or U. S. Standard.[208] They embodied the
sixty degree angle and a flat of one-eighth of the pitch at the top and
bottom of the thread. In this paper Sellers stated clearly the need for
some generally accepted standard, reviewed the various threads
then used, particularly the Whitworth thread, with its fifty-five degree
angle and rounded corners, which he disapproved of on three
grounds; first, that it was difficult to secure a fit at the top and bottom;
second, that the angle was difficult to verify; and third, the high cost
of making cutting tools which would conform accurately to the
standard. He proposed the sixty degree angle as easier to make and
already in general use in this country, and the flat top as easy to
generate and to verify. He went a step further, and proposed at the
same time a standard for bolt-heads and nuts, in which the
dimensions were derived from a simple formula and the distance
across flats was the same for square and hexagon nuts, so that the
same wrench would do for either style of nut.
[208] Journal of the Franklin Institute, Vol. LXXVII, p. 344.

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