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Nothing's worse than waking up first thing in the morning to stiffness and pain – except getting out of bed and trying to walk, but you can't. Living with hallux rigidus is a real problem when you're active and enjoy walking or running.
With hallux rigidus, the big toe joint becomes stiff and painful, making it hard to enjoy the things you love and simply get up the stairs. Arthritis is to blame for the condition, which worsens over time without treatment.
Good news, though – several treatment options allow you to regain function in the toe and reduce stiffness and pain. Dr. Jefferey E. McAlister and the Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute team offer surgical and conservative therapies for hallux rigidus.
The MTP, or metatarsophalangeal joint, is where your big toe joins the rest of the foot. Hallux rigidus is a disease that affects the MTP joint and is one of the many forms of arthritis that causes inflammation and pain in the body.
Stiffness in and around the big toe is the main symptom of hallux rigidus, a progressive disease. It's a form of osteoarthritis that wears away at the tissues within the big toe joint.
Hallux rigidus happens because of stress on the MTP joint, either from how you walk or overuse of the joint. In the early stages, you may experience symptoms such as:
As the condition progresses, the symptoms may get worse. You can also develop other symptoms which may include:
The sooner you seek treatment for hallux rigidus, the better off you'll be. The earlier Dr. McAlister diagnoses the issue, the more likely conservative measures will help.
A few of the conservative measures we offer for hallux rigidus include:
Shoes with a small or tight toe box increase pain with hallux rigidus by putting pressure on the joint. Choose a shoe with a wide toe box and firm insole to provide comfort, support, and room for the toe to move.
Orthotics are custom shoe inserts that address various problems, including hallux rigidus. Dr. McAlister carefully evaluates your foot and toe to determine the best type of orthotic for your needs.
Oral medications like anti-inflammatories help to reduce mild pain and inflammation. Talk to Dr. McAlister about taking these medications safely.
Steroid injections are a minimally invasive option when oral medications haven't improved pain. The potent corticosteroid works in the joints to reduce inflammation, improve movement, and eliminate stiffness.
Many people get enough relief from conservative measures that they don't need to have surgery for hallux rigidus. But if you still have pain, stiffness, and other troublesome symptoms after conservative treatments, it may be time to discuss your options.
Surgery is often the last resort for hallux rigidus because it's invasive and comes with more risks than conservative treatments. However, sometimes, it's unavoidable when you can't bear the pain or the decreased function in the affected foot.
Dr. McAlister offers various procedures for hallux rigidus, including:
During a cheilectomy, Dr. McAlister surgically removes any bone spurs in the toe joint that may be causing issues with movement. It's an excellent procedure to improve the range of motion in the toe and reduce pain.
An arthroplasty is simply a joint replacement of the MTP joint in the toe. Dr. McAlister removes the problematic bone and replaces it with donor tissue between the ends of the healthy bone.
An osteotomy is an option to shorten the bones of the big toe and realign them to reduce pain.
When other procedures don't work or aren't an option, a joint fusion or arthrodesis is the next step. During the procedure, Dr. McAlister removes damaged cartilage and permanently fuses the joint together. It reduces toe movement but significantly improves pain.
To learn more about the treatments we offer for hallux rigidus and other foot and ankle conditions, call Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute today to schedule an appointment. You may also request a consultation right here on our website.
