Hallux rigidus is Latin for stiff big toe, which is the main symptom of this condition. It’s a type of degenerative arthritis that affects the joint where your big toe (hallux) attaches to your foot.
This condition happens when the cartilage covering the ends of the bones in your big toe joint is damaged or lost. This causes the joint space to narrow. It can also lead to painful bone spurs. These are small, pointed growths on a bone.
Symptoms often start out mild and slowly worsen over time. Early signs and symptoms may include:
For most people, there is no clear cause. Hallux rigidus likely develops because the toe joint experiences a lot of stress when you walk. Every step you take places a force equal to twice your body weight on the toe joint. Other causes of hallux rigidus include:
To relieve pain, your healthcare provider may recommend:
You can’t keep the condition from happening, but you can slow its progress if you:
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For our patient’s convenience, we offer foot and ankle treatments for all kinds of conditions such as Hallux rigidus in Adrian, MI, Hallux rigidus in Ann Arbor, MI, and Hallux rigidus in Jackson, MI. We have our own digital x-ray, MRI, Cat-scan, and ultrasound equipment at many of our podiatry clinics. Our on-site podiatric physical therapy clinics allow for constant communication between the physicians and physical therapists, ensuring the most effective therapy and successful recovery for our patients.