Hallux Rigidus

What is Hallux Rigidus?

Hallux rigidus is a condition of the joint that is located at the bottom of the big toe. This disorder causes pain and stiffness in the toe and over time it becomes difficult to bend. However, before it reaches this point it is called hallux limitus since motion is somewhat limited. Now, when we talk about hallux, this refers to the big toe, and rigidus means the toe is rigid and cannot bend. Furthermore, this condition is actually a form of degenerative arthritis.

Also, see: All About Foot & Ankle Arthritis

Our feet are the foundation of our body. Therefore, if we cannot use the big toe to walk, step down or climb it becomes very troubling and disabling. Often times, people will confuse a bunion with hallux rigidus. Although it does affect the same joint, these are two very different conditions. Thus, requiring different treatment methods.

What Causes the Disorder?

Although this is no known cause of hallux rigidus, many factors of the disorder have been identified. Risk factors include the following:

Runs in Families. If you have a family member who has the disorder, your risk of developing it increases. However, this could be due to a certain type of foot that runs in the family or a way of walking that can lead to the condition.

You are female. It is believed that the disease is more common in women than in men. A study was performed in 2009 on the demographics, 66% of the study was female.

Abnormalities in the structure of your foot. This is often due to a long or elevated first metatarsal bone. Therefore, increasing your risk for hallux rigidus.

Overuse. If you have overused the toe by stooping and squatting regularly it can lead to the condition. Furthermore, people who participate in sports often put much stress on the joints, also increasing their risks.

Injuries. If an injury occurs such as stubbing a toe or spraining the big toe this can also lead to hallux rigidus.

Medical conditions. There are certain medical conditions that also increase your risk for the disease, such as, osteoarthritis, RA, and gout.

Symptoms of Hallux Rigidus

The symptoms commonly start mild and increase over time slowly. However, early signs may include:

pain and stiffness in your big toe during use
pain and stiffness that worsens with cold, damp weather
swelling and inflammation around the joint

As the condition progresses, it’s normal to notice the following:

pain even during rest
inability to bend your big toe
a hard bump that forms at the top of your foot
limping

Additionally, it’s also common to feel pain in your hips, knees, and lower back, if your symptoms put off your gait.

Treatment for the Condition

Conservative Methods

Although there is no way to slow down the progression of hallux rigidus, there are at-home pain relief remedies, such as:

Apply cold and heat several times a day.
Soak your feet, alternating between cold and warm water.
Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil).
Avoid high-impact activities, such as running.
Wear supportive closed-toe shoes with stiff soles to prevent your big toe from bending too much.

Sometimes, steroid injections are recommended for pain relief too.

Surgical Treatment Methods

If conservative methods fail, your doctors may suggest surgery. However, there are different types of surgeries depending on the severity.

For more information, call us at 888-409-8006. Our top foot/ankle specialist is happy to answer any questions or concerns.