Painful Arthritic Bigtoe - Hallux Rigidus

Hallux rigidus is painful stiffness of the big toe metatarsophalangeal joint due to arthritis. The arthritis produces bone spurs around the joint causing painful restriction of joint movements. Most activities including normal walking require some degree of movements in the big toe metatarsophalangeal joint. Due to the associated painful stiffness of this joint, even routine activities such as normal walking causes pain, particularly during the push-off phase of gait. The non-operative treatment for this condition include modification of footwear and usage of insoles. Surgical treatment may be required in patients. If the arthritis is not severe, excision of bony spurs and cleaning of the joint (Cheilectomy) leads to satisfactory improvement in pain and flexibility of the joint, that can possibly last for a prolonged period. In advances osteoarthritis, a definitive procedure such as fusion or replacement of the big toe metatarsophalangeal joint or replacement may be necessary. The fusion (arthrodesis) is the most reliable procedure and converts the painful stiff joint to a painless stiff joint.

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