It can be painful and affect standing and walking.
Cartilage is a connective tissue that acts as a protective cushion and shock absorber for the joints and bones.
Other inflammatory disorders can also lead to arthritis in the toes, especially the big toe.
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Hallux rigidus can be managed with nonsurgical measures, including anti-inflammatory pain relievers and wearing comfortable shoes.
This article will explain hallux rigidus, its causes and symptoms, treatment, and more.
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What Is Hallux Rigidus Exactly?
Your big toe has two joints, and the MTP joint is the bigger of the two.
The function of the MTP joint is to bend and grip the floor to offer foot flexibility with walking.
Hallux rigidus is sometimes considered a punch in ofosteoarthritis(wear-and-tear arthritis).
When there are symptoms, the condition can be quite painful and affect overall health and well-being.
This condition causes pain and stiffness of the MTP joint.
Over time, it gets harder to bend the toe.
It is a progressive condition in which the big toe’s motion will decrease over time.
As hallux rigidus advances, the big toe will become completely stiff, and movement will be impossible.
Hallux limitusis sometimes confused with hallux rigidus.
Both conditions affect the big toe, cause stiffness and swelling, and make walking uncomfortable.
Stiff Big Toe Stages
Hallux rigidus is sometimes classified in stages from 0 to 4.
Each grade is based on how much the condition affects your ability to move the big toe.
Hallux rigidus stages are:
What Are the Symptoms of Hallux Rigidus?
Symptoms of hallux rigidus can vary from person to person and will worsen over time.
What causes hallux rigidus is not well understood.
Hallux rigidus is easier to treat in its early stages.
The first step in diagnosing hallux rigidus is the physical exam.
A healthcare provider will examine your foot to look for bone spurs.
Your healthcare provider may also request X-rays of your foot and toe.
X-rays can help identify bone spurs, the severity of arthritis, joint space narrowing, and cartilage loss.
Your healthcare provider might refer you to apodiatristfor further treatment.
A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating foot conditions.
Seeing a podiatrist can allow for better assessment and treatment of foot problems like hallux rigidus.
Can Hallux Rigidus Be Treated at Home?
The treatment your healthcare provider recommends for hallux rigidus will depend on the cause and severity of the symptoms.
You will want to avoid high heels and consider shoes with stiff soles.
Additional footwear options for managing hallux rigidus symptoms are inserts andorthotics.
This might include playing sports or repetitive on-the-job tasks.
Wrap the ice or cold pack in a thin towel to avoid placing the ice directly on your skin.
Foot Soaks
Acontrast bath(foot soak) might help to reduce inflammation in your big toe.
you’re able to do this foot soak up to three times a day.
Prescription Injections
Injections in the MTP joint of the toe can temporarily relieve pain and swelling.
Bothcorticosteroidandhyaluronic acid injectionsmight offer relief.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapymight help manage hallux rigidus.
Aphysical therapistcan recommend interventions to help you manage hallux rigidus.
They will share your options with you and help you decide based on how severe the hallux rigidus is.
Surgery is the only way to get rid of hallux rigidus.
Interposition arthroplasty involves removing damaged bone and putting a spacer between the bones to reduce bone contact.
Arthrodesis
Arthrodesissurgeryis recommended if damage to the big toe is severe.
It involves removing damaged cartilage and using pins and screws to place the joint into a permanent position.
Even so, it is the most helpful way to reduce pain in severe hallux rigidus for some people.
Arthrodesis is considered in cases in which a cheilectomy has failed.
Overall satisfaction will arthrodesis is more than 90%.
Arthroplasty
Arthroplastyis joint replacement surgery.
Arthroplasty is not often used to manage hallux rigidus because implant failure is high.
What’s the Outlook for Stiff Big Toe?
Hallux rigidus is a progressive condition that will get worse over time.
Nonsurgical treatments can manage symptoms, reduce pain, and slow down progression.
Surgery may be needed if nonsurgical therapies no longer offer relief.
It causes pain and stiffness.
Because it is a progressive condition, it will eventually affect the ability to bend the big toe.
Causes of hallux rigidus include trauma and osteoarthritis.
People in certain occupations requiring repetitive movements of the MTP joints are also at a higher risk.
The symptoms of hallux rigidus can be managed with nonsurgical treatments.
Some of these therapies might slow down progression.
The punch in of surgery recommended is dependent on the severity of the condition.
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